Physical fitness and exercise are important components of a healthy lifestyle, and physical education is an important part of high school education. While regular school students have access to physical education (PE) as part of their curriculum, students who are homeschooled must figure out how to incorporate physical fitness and exercise into their education.
In this article, we will look at the question of how much gym time a week is required for high school homeschool.
What Is the Recommended Amount of Exercise for High Schoolers?
The physical activity recommendations for young people aged 6-17, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), states that children and adolescents should do at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. The activities should be moderate to vigorous, with vigorous activity at least 3 days a week.
For older teenagers, aged 14 and above, the CDC recommends at least 75 minutes of vigorous activity or 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. Depending on the program chosen, homeschooling high schoolers may not need to meet the CDC recommendations, but some physical activity is strongly encouraged. The amount of physical activity required will depend on the homeschool curriculum chosen.
Some programs may include physical education as part of the curriculum, while others may encourage parents and students to set aside time for physical activity on their own, in their communities.
How Can High School Homeschoolers Incorporate Physical Activity In Their Learning?
High school homeschoolers can find plenty of ways to incorporate physical activity in their learning. For example, they could join extracurricular activities such as sports teams, martial arts classes, or dance classes.
If these are not practical or accessible options, parents and students can consider making physical activity part of the day’s schedule. This can be done by adding regular exercise into the day, going for an afternoon walk, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or playing sports during break times. Homeschoolers can also make use of local resources such as public parks, lakes, and trails for outdoor activities.
Guided outdoor activities such as rock climbing, kayaking, or camping are also great physical activities that can also contribute to learning about outdoor safety, camping skills, and nature.
How Much Gym Time a Week is Required for High School Homeschoolers?
High school homeschoolers are not usually required to meet the CDC’s recommendations for physical activity. However, physical activity is important in promoting healthy development and learning, and it is highly recommended that homeschoolers devote some time each week to physical activity. How much time is required is determined by the homeschool curriculum and family preference.
Depending on the program chosen and access to extracurricular activities, it is recommended that homeschoolers have at least an hour of physical activity each day. This can include structured physical activity such as joining a sports team or taking additional physical education classes, as well as more informal activities such as playing tag, doing yoga, or just running around in the garden.
Additionally, it is a great idea to make physical activity part of the daily learning plan. This can be done by incorporating in-home exercises into math or English classes, or by taking a break in the day to do physical activities such as stretching, dancing, or a simple game of catch.
Conclusion
While there is no set requirement for how much gym time a week is required for high school homeschoolers, it is important to make physical activity a regular part of the homeschooling experience. Parents and students should be creative and find ways to incorporate physical activity into their everyday routines.
This can be done by taking advantage of local resources and extracurricular activities, as well as incorporating physical activity into the daily learning plan. Doing so will help homeschoolers to stay active and physically healthy, while still enabling them to get a good education.