Barriers to QDPE --- How they can be overcome!

When approached about the possibility of implementing Quality Daily Physical Education in the school curriculum, principals and trustees across the country seem to find many reasons for not introducing such a program.
However, closer examination often reveals that the so-called justified reasons are really just excuses. We at CAHPERD call these excuses "Barriers to QDPE".

Here are five common barriers we have encountered over the last four years. Below each are innovative suggestions on how a school can overcome that particular barrier and implement QDPE. These suggestions are by no means exhaustive, so please add to them whenever you come across a creative idea!

#1 The gymnasium can't handle a physical education class on a daily basis for all students

Hold classes out of doors: e.g. use asphalt surfaces, playing fields, woods, etc.;

Modify the program to utilize facilities such as classrooms, hallways, stages and cafeterias;

Incorporate health education classes into the physical education schedule;

Utilize community facilities (e.g. skating rink);

Use curtain dividers in the gymnasium to double up on classes;

It can be done! -- J.C. Eckhert School in Makkovick, Newfoundland was nationally recognized for their strong and balanced physical education program....and they don't even have a gym!

#2 Apprehensive teachers don't wish to teach physical education on a daily basis

and/or
#3 Insufficient number of qualified physical education teachers

Hire a physical education specialist teacher;

When hiring classroom generalist teachers, hire those who also have physical education qualifications;

Contact the board physical education consultant for inservice help;

Teachers can attend workshops offered by the local school board or provincial physical education associations to gain confidence;

CAHPERD offers a number of teaching resources, including instructional videos, books and manuals to aid in developing physical education lesson plans;

Look for experience within your community (e.g. community recreation leader);

Plan a Professional Development day with a "Let's Get Physical" theme;

Use teacher "mentors";

Hold an information session to explain the benefits to teachers and students.

#4 Lack of Resources

Fundraising efforts can raise money for new equipment;

Often a successful local business may be willing to sponsor or donate funds and equipment towards the implementation of daily physical education classes;

As physical education is a critical and necessary component of a child's learning experience (see The Evidence Behind QDPE for specific details), it should receive equal budget priority with other subjects;

Share equipment with other schools;

Develop programs that don't require a lot of resources;

Challenge the staff to come up with some innovative ideas for equipment that the students can make themselves.

#5 Physical education takes time away from academic subjects

Often subjects, such as language arts, are over-scheduled according to the standards set by Boards of Education;

Integrate physical education with other subjects. For example, 'Walk Across Canada' in Geography; learn a folk dance used by the pioneers in social studies, or physically shape numbers and fractions to help students understand math;

Taking a mere five minutes away from six other subjects each day adds up to a time slot of 30 minutes, which could be used for physical education;

As physical education is a critical and necessary component of a child's learning experience, it "should" receive equal priority in the timetable with all other subjects;

Gradual implementation: i.e. increase from two days of scheduled physical education to three days of scheduled physical education;

Studies show that daily physical education enhances academic performance.