Canadian Health Network

How much physical education (PE) do children need in school?

Physical education (PE) is "designed to develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for participating in active, healthy living."

Physical education in Canada

Many schools average fewer than 60 minutes of PE per week, although this figure is improving as many schools are starting to include more physical activity in the school day. However, less than one-fifth of children between six and 12 take part in daily PE (Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute, 2002).

Physical education guidelines

Canada's Physical Activity Guide for Children recommends 90 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day. The guide gives teachers and parents ideas about how to get children active at home, school and in their community but do not discuss PE.

According to the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD), all students from kindergarten to grade 12 should take part in quality daily PE (PDF reader required) at school adding up to at least 150 minutes per week. Programs should be well planned, fit the students’ level, and be taught by qualified staff.

The amount and type of PE varies across provinces. You will also find differences between school boards and individual schools and from class to class. Some provinces also include health education as part of PE.

Some school boards may have a daily physical activity requirement instead of daily PE. Schools can integrate physical activity throughout the school day. Daily physical activity can include, but is not limited to, offering structured daily PE classes. The best way to find out about the amount and type of PE or other physical activity your children receive is to ask their school.

Children need to be active

Over half of Canada's children and youth are not active enough for healthy growth and development. Being inactive can be a major factor in obesity. One study found that obesity in boys tripled from 5 per cent to 16.6 per cent between 1981 and 1996. During the same time, obesity among girls increased from 5 per cent to 14.6 per cent (Tremblay & Willms, 2000). Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are becoming more common in very overweight children.

Benefits of physical education

Daily physical activity is important for good health. Regular school PE programs can help students meet the goal of 90 minutes of daily physical activity recommended in Canada’s Physical Activity Guides for Children.

Regular physical education can also help children:

• develop movement skills
• do better in school, e.g., memory, observation, problem-solving and making decisions
• improve concentration, discipline and creativity
• improve mood, confidence, self-image and self-esteem
• reduce anxiety and problem behaviour
• develop a commitment to healthy active living.

Resources

• Action Schools! BC — Click on "Across Canada" for physical education and physical activity links in BC and other provinces as well as national and international links.
• Run, Jump and Throw: Implementing Daily Physical Activity in Alberta Schools (Alberta Centre for Active Living)

References

1. Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (web site). Mandingo, J. Presenting the evidence: Quality physical education for Canadian children and youth. Accessed June 12, 2006.
2. Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (web site). 2002 physical activity monitor. Accessed July 4, 2006.
3. Tremblay MS, Willms JD. Secular trends in the body mass index of Canadian children. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2000;163 (11): 1429–1433.
4. Alberta Centre for Active Living (web site). The physical inactivity epidemic: The preventative role of active school communities. Accessed July 4, 2006.