How Can Our Children Become More Active?

How Can We Get Our Children More Active?

Listed below are several policy recommendations that, if implemented, will promote and encourage regular physical activity among California's children.

School-based PE

• Require certified teachers teach all PE courses

• Require schools to provide daily physical activity breaks (recess) for all elementary school students

• Provide sufficient oversight to ensure schools meet all of the mandated PE requirements

After-School Programs

• Implement programs, including school-sponsored competitive and noncompetitive extracurricular sports and recreation, that meet the needs and interests of all students

• Require federal and state sponsored youth development and early education programs to include opportunities for quality physical activity

Community Programs

• Require that federal and state programs, including summer programs, for under-served children and youth incorporate quality physical activity

• Require daily physical activity breaks be incorporated into licensed pre-school programs

• Support access to community-based physical activity programs by offering transportation options, increased adult supervision, low program fees, clean facilities

• Develop legislation to protect those that provide facilities, equipment, open space and programs that encourage physical activity from liability claims. Such providers may include employers, schools, and park and recreation departments

Community Design

• Implement programs and incentives to create, improve, and promote access to and use of transportation options that enhance physical activity, such as walking and biking

• Require that zoning regulations support the creation and maintenance of green space and public parks

• Provide access to schools and school owned facilities by students, staff and community members during non-school hours

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