Mom Is Teaching

I have talked many times about education in general.  I’ve mentioned by thoughts on homework, voiced my frustrations with reading and even take a long hard look at whether I will one day feel comfortable enough to homeschool my kids so we can travel alot.

But, I don’t think I’ve ever discussed teaching physical education other than to say that schools need true physical education classes and not recess.  The idea of recess is deceptive.  But, since I have the floor and I was confronted with an opportunity to teach tonight….I have to share.

I’ve made no bones about my insecurities about homeschooling.  But, I do have the ability to teach a lot of things…stay with me here.

When I taught physical education, my classes were organized, they involved fitness, they involved free play, they involved team games, individual games, recreational games and more.  I took my job seriously.  I also coached.  And I took that job serious as well.  And, since I was working mostly with girls in the 13 to 15 year old range, it was sometimes extremely challenging.

Tonight I received a compliment from a former athlete.  The compliment came via her parent but the mother told me that her daughter said she learned more about the game and more physical skills than any other coach they had ever played for. 

That made me smile because I truly gave my all when I coached and sometimes I didn’t feel like I was making any headway.  Anyway…my head swelled just a weeee bit.

So tonight I carried my kids to watch my cousin’s son who is 9 play in the state tournament.  And, I had the opportunity to exercise my brain on more than one occasion.  My cousin was working toward his degree in physical education and the fact that he asked my opinion was enough that it was amazing that my head even fit back in our car for the drive home. 

So, there, just so you all know that I m not a complete insecure nutjob trying to parent my kids.  But, don’t think I am one of the diehard coaches who believes in working small children to the core. But, if my children are going to participate in athletics, I want them to learn proper techniques in warming-up, as well as how to control their body so that un-necessary injuries do not occur.  And, I want them to learn to be good sports.  And, at 9, being a good sport is a big deal, running a close race with learning proper warm-up techniques and mastering skills properly. 

I have more but this is long and boring now.  I”ll talk about it again another day…just wanted to toot my own horn around here for a change.

And, for those of you who think that coaching is all about fitness, athletics, and physical skills….take a look at this physics lesson that any coach anywhere has the opportunity to teach to their athletes..