Teachers and parents team up to keep their kids in shape

Teachers and parents team up to keep their kids in shape.

It has been a full year since COVID-19 has gripped all aspects of life in Canada, but gym teachers are picking up the pace.

Last March, COVID-19 shut down almost all social activities for youth. Recreational facilities and sports leagues were all closed, even many neighborhood parks were gated off as the chaos of COVID-19 sparked a months long stay-at-home order. Some children initially were not too negatively impacted with the lockdown as many kept in touch with friends over video game consoles and social media.

As the lockdown continued, many parents began to realize the negative effects of isolation, especially for their children. Mirjana Steele, 37, has two sons aged 11 and 13. She said she had to take on the role of a gym teacher over the spring and summer months while schools were closed.

“In May when the weather was getting nice we went for a lot of family walks. We have a basketball net, so the boys spent a lot of time outside just shooting hoops. They know that every day when school is over, they have to play outside and be active for an hour,” Steele said.

Steele’s two sons are both normally highly active children who play hockey in the winter, baseball in the summer and now recently, mixed martial arts. She said the decision to enroll them into mixed martial arts was because it is one of the few options available for organized activity.

While parents are concerned about their children receiving the necessary activity they need to stay healthy, gym teachers have been finding creative ways to have safe social activities for the students.

Colin O’Gorman is a physical educator at École Élémentaire Catholique St. Edmond. He said ensuring social distancing and proper handling of all equipment has been difficult, but it has also provided him the opportunity to create new games for his students. For example, O’Gorman said to reduce the risk of transmission he has adapted ball handling games to use feet only.

O’Gorman admits online learning has not been easy as a gym teacher because not all students have the resources at home. Students are sometimes missing from their gym classes and it is nearly impossible to monitor the physical activity of 15-plus students through a web screen. O’Gorman stresses the importance of staying active in his students’ lives.

“Physical activity is such an important aspect in youths lives because for many it is a way to release all the energy and emotion they have built up from sitting in class all day. It is a fundamental aspect of physical and mental well being,” said O’Gorman.

O’Gorman also said he understands with online learning children are spending much more time on their devices. However, he believes it can give students motivation to be active.

“Get outside, keep your body moving and just get some fresh air. Anything other than sitting in front of a a screen for another six hours will help you mentally and physically,” O’Gorman said.

O’Gorman credits his colleagues for how quickly they worked together and continue to provide help to one another so each student receives the best Phys. Ed experience possible.

“As challenging as it has been, we are shaping and reforming education,” said O’Gorman.