I use the President's Challenge each year with my Kindergarten-5th graders. We do a pre-test in the fall and a final test in the spring. This is a great program that offers a wide range of programs designed to make staying active simple and fun for all individuals, able or disabled.

All students are winners in the President's challenge. The performances of five activities are tested to help support the physical development of well-rounded children: Curl ups, Shuttle Run, Endurance Run, Pull Ups, and Sit and Reach. Each activity includes a set standard for children to work toward. I distribute awards and personal-best sheets that show each child's scores from the previous year to the current year. This helps them map their progress from year to year. I love "training" the children, and watching their improvements from fall to spring.

SOME EXAMPLES OF MY PE "TRAINING" WORKOUTS

Intervals: Using a set distance, preferably a circular track, have the students run the straight sections and walk the curves, or sprint the straights and jog the curves. If you don't have access to a track, select spots on the school yard to run/walk back and forth.

Jump roping days: Set aside class time for jump roping. I use jumping ladders with my classes: one minute, two minutes, and three minutes, and so on until six minutes. After this, have the students work back down the ladder. I usually give the students a 30 second rest in between.

Fitness Stations: I set up five stations for the activities mentioned above (Curl ups, Shuttle Run, Endurance Run, Pull Ups, and Sit and Reach) and have the children work in groups, rotating through each station on my whistle.

Monthly Fitness Runs: This is great. Each month, I hold a "themed" fitness run where the students estimate their time to run their set distances. The boy and girl who comes the closest to their estimate receives a certificate and a prize (e.g. Sept. - a basket of apples, Oct. - a mini pumpkin, Dec. - a candy cane, Jan. - a silver bell, Feb. - flowers, March - a pot of "gold," April - a filled egg, May - flower seeds etc.)

Children love to run. This is not a race won by being the fastest, but by being most aware of your abilities and limitations. I give out Popsicle sticks since 1 mile is 12 laps around our field and I have a hoop set out so when the students run a lap, they drop a stick into the hoop. This helps with their counting and makes them responsible for their laps. To promote progress, all students are required to run faster the following month to qualify to win.

Arm Hang Competitions: The children are tested to see how long they can hang with their chin above the pull-up bar. This can be done with an over-hand or under-hand grip. They love to see how long they can hold this position.

Alphabet Push Ups: This is a unique way to help students develop upper-body strength. I distribute index cards all over the school field with a set of cards for each group. I usually have five groups, so there are five groups of index cards, A-Z. This is a relay where one child from each group is required to travel in the push-up position to find the first letter of the alphabet, pick up the card, travel back to their group, and tag the next player who will travel the same way to find the next letter in the alphabet. This continues until all the cards are lined out in alphabetical order. It's a great challenge for the students.

Good Old Relays: To mix it up, I hold relays that require students to use hula hoops, batons, gunny Sacks, etc., dribble basketballs and soccer balls, and develop locomotors skills, such as running.

Deck of Cards Workout: Each child picks a card and calls out an exercise. The student and the class do as many of the exercise as the number on the card. If a student chooses an ace, everyone runs three laps. Kings, Queens, and Jacks designate harder exercises that can be led by the teacher. Students love picking cards and leading exercises.

Step Aerobics/Rubber Band Conditioning: I have aerobic step routines set to music that the students can work on at lunch. Aside from limited PE class time, lunch time is another great time to get students working out. Working out before and after school are other possibilities.

Fitness Scavenger Hunts: I place plastic eggs, or plastic sports eggs with numbers, around the activity area. The class is then divided into set groups. Each group starts at a different location, and the students are challenged to complete all the activities as a group first. Orienteering lessons can also be included in this activity.

Sports have changed dramatically over the years, increasing in competitiveness and placing more strained demands on young children. The time has come to address what is happening to our children as they compete in sports. Below is a short list of some of the top stresses for children and sports.

	Stress of being coached by a parent.
	Stress of making mistakes.
	Stress of Travel/Club vs. AySO/Little League situations.
	Stress of daily demands to always be better.
	Stress of making teams as a child gets older.
	Stress of scholarships to colleges.

How can we help and encourage a child who is doing their best and trying their hardest, yet is failing to have a positive sporting experience?

As PE Professionals, we have the ability to raise or improve the self esteem of children, which can suffer in their sporting experiences. Sometimes children look for us to be their comfort zones - they open up to us and talk about sports and stress. Our task is to help them find the tools to deal with this.

Now, I'm not suggesting children should avoid playing sports. I love sports, and have always encouraged my own two children, as well as the children I teach, to participate. Some kids are simply naturals, possessing the ability to excel without having to work too hard. Other children are good as a result of working very hard. Despite levels of ability or skill, most children enjoy the social aspect of being involved in sports.

I have been a physical educator for 26 years at the elementary and high school levels, and have always coached for the children! If one coaches for anyone else, or for any other reason such as parents or personal prestige, it inevitably never works. If your focus remains on coaching for the children, you help them build skills that are relevant for the rest of their lives, not just one sporting event. This can be challenging at times, particularly for one who is competitive by nature.

As an Olympian and World Champion, I have faced the difficulty of coaching children who wanted to be on the team, but had very little skill. Sometimes this resulted in very lopsided losses on our team's part. Although the losses were tough, it only took watching and hearing the excitement of these children, as they competed in what they referred to as the best game of their life, to reassure me that I had done the right thing.

Competition is tough and is getting tougher in younger children's sports. By realizing this, we can help children be positive and learn how to have a good time while competing. Learning to lose gracefully and remaining a good sport at all times are the keys to success. Helping children to maintain self confidence is also important.

For example, sometimes children who have been involved with sports since a very young age fail to make their school's teams as they get older. What do they do now, and who do they turn to? Hopefully us! We can help them to build up their confidence once again. I believe cooperative games should be the main focus at the elementary level. However, introducing this age group to competition is also important. Children need to be aware of how varied skill levels in individuals can be, and that working hard and playing fair are critical to a good sporting experience

It's time we diminish some of the stress related to sports, and work within each individual's potential. It's ok to challenge children and their potentials. If, however, you are going to attempt to help children maximize their potentials, don't get disappointed with their failure. Adjust your challenges.

Kick Off to Fitness: You can make up any kind of fitness day that includes the whole school or just your PE classes. Students don't realize that they are working out when they are having fun with fitness! Invite your principal and fellow teachers to a day of fitness. Set up stations for different exercises and activities, and let the children take charge of their groups, including the principal and teachers. Refuel with some water/Gatorade stations and have a ball!

Fit & Fun Challenges: Make up some fun challenges for the children. A number of great ideas are available in my book, Survivor…PE Style!, listed on the pelinks4u book reviews page.

Kids Friday Fit Class: Each Friday, offer a new activity, such as aerobics, dance, flexibility activities, etc., to increase student participation in physical activities.

Not too Late to Skate: Try a roller skating day at school. Loads of fun!

Walking Club: Set up a walking club program at your school that the children can do before and after school or during recess. Fitness Finders has great suggestions for starting a walking program at your school.

Jog-A-Thon, Jump Rope for Heart, and Other Fundraising Ideas.

Field Day: This activity offers all kinds of fun, fitness events for a day of outdoor fun. I usually have three events running at the same time with four time periods. Incorporate any event you want. I split the competitions into 2 age groups: 1st and 2nd and 3rd-5th. Each child picks four events for the day. Here's an example:

	First period: jump rope, 25-yard dash, and long jump.
	Second period: hula hoop, shuttle run, and softball throw.
	Third period: obstacle course, peanut walk, and basketball shoot.
	Fourth period: 25-yard hurdles, soccer slalom, and bean bag toss.

Dance, Dance, Dance Day: Put the music on and watch the children move for hours. Make it even more fun by starting some dance competitions.

Read this very good article on Tips for Teaching Healthy Habits to Young Children and the articles in the archives.

REDLEAF PRESS provides a ton of exceptional resources for early childhood professionals. Do look over their resources carefully, as you will probably find exactly what you need.