What Does Your Kindergartener Do in Gym Class?

I just want to agree with Anne Marie and say that it IS your job as a parent to determine whether your child's curriculum is working for her. Schools don't seem to think that this is true, and that may be why so many parents are pulling their young ones out of school and homeschooling them. (You wouldn't believe how fun P.E. is in some of THOSE schools).
And if your child hated math or science because they were causing her pain and you believed that they were asking inappropriate things out of her, then YES, you should pull her out of those, too. It is true that life asks things of us that we don't enjoy and facing up to those things is an important life skill. But at the age of 5 beginning to gently introduce that skill should be enough. There will be plenty of time for pain and suffering in the next 12 years or so.
I can't say for sure whether your child's P.E. class is truly inappropriate for her age, though it does look like it to me from what you have said. But I do want to encourage you to move with confidence in these areas where your child is concerned. I have a degree in elementary education and I am also a mother. I can tell you that we did not learn anything in those years of college that would prepare me to know better than you do what is best for your child. You have spent 5 years in private instruction about her person, her needs, her abilities, etc... Don't let anyone tell you that you are not the very best judge of her needs.

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Hi D.,
I just want to stand in your defense and say that the sarcastic response from Jessica S. was uncalled for. Plus, it IS a parent's job to be involved in determining was is appropriate for each child's age group. ESPECIALLY in this situation. If a child's back is hurting because she is doing sit ups (and HOW can a 5 year old have good form for sit ups, anyway???) then a parent MUST intervene.

I love parents who are involved in their kids educations. If we can't question an educator, then that person shouldn't BE an educator.

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Hey, maybe if she hates math and science, we can try to get her out of those too. As parents it is not our job to determine the appropriate curriculum. It is to teach our kids that we may not like everything, but we are needing to learn and grow and show respect for all adults and teachers . However, the teacher should be able to meet with you and be able to logically defend his curriculum. I encourage you to be direct with the teacher and tell him you need to set up a time to talk. Be objective. He is the expert in his field and you are the expert on your child. Be mindful and respectful of what he does. I see a lot of teachers get put through a lot of pressure because parents want their children treated a speacial way. Think of all the people and personalities that he has to adjust to. These kids only need to adjust to him. He has a big job. Go into this with a positive open mind.

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I don't know what kindergarteners should be doing in gym class, but my thought is that you should NEVER have a teacher blow you off for any reason. If the gym teacher won't address your concerns, I would talk to the principal about them. I'm sure he is very busy, but if he's too busy to talk to a concerned parent, then something needs to change.

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OHHHHhh! Gr. I've been a teacher for 8 years (HS English...) but what concerns me is not so much his outdated and hugely boring techniques (most PE teachers these days are trying to teach life health--things you can do for forever to keep your body fit...this guy is NOT. I have several relatives who are PE teachers who do really fun things--set up races for kids to participate in on weekends, help families get involved in physical fitness--it can be done right) but his total resistance to meeting you. He KNOWS something is up; this is the point at which you go to his supervisor--the principal. Part of a teacher's JOB is to meet with parents, even when they know they're gonna get blasted (I don't recommend this route; it tends to make teachers defensive!). You can request, via the principal, a meeting with principal, PE teacher, and you. Unless you have a good ol' boys' club school, you should get a lot of help that way. If for some reason that doesn't appeal to you, you can go to the PTA or another parent or group of parents who have the same concerns and approach them again...and if you don't get satisfaction that way, go to the superintendent. Then the school board. I really wouldn't recommend taking it that far unless you're totally prepared to fight (maybe a doc's note saying those exercises are inappropriate for her?) a long and hard battle. But definitely involve the principal if the teacher is being stubborn. They do NOT get to treat you that way; he does NOT get to keep your daughter in pain without talking to you! Absolutely NOT.

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For all grades at our school, the kids do laps around the gym or outside and at this time of year, all the grades are doing fitness testing to find out how many situps, pushups, rope climbing, etc. they can do, to compare it to numbers in the spring. It's not the most fun time in gym right now. But in kindergarten she learned "What time is it, Mr. Wolf?" "Sharks and Minnows", lots of chasing, run around games to get exercise.

I would definitely contact the gym teacher again and say you want to meet face to face. If he can't, contact the principal. Teacher schedules are really tight, but taking parent concerns seriously is an important part of their job. He should be willing to work on a plan together to help your daughter enjoy his class...at least as much as gym is enjoyable. :)

Can you help your daughter practice these activities outside of class? I remember doing situps/pushups on the gym floors and that's just something kids have to do. If she gets used to the exercises at home, it probably won't seem as bad at school. I hope things get better for her!

HUH? In kindergarten, I thought P.E. was called "recess."

If there's a teacher out there, can you tell me why 5-6 year olds need calisthetics?

If I were you, I'd be in the principal's office ASAP with this concern.

D.,
Our school starts doing the kind of stuff you are describing in first grade. In Kinder, the Kinder teachers (not the PE instructor) are in charge of gym class. They don't do any lap running/sit-ups/etc. They use this time to play group games. Freeze tag, opstacle courses, etc.
Does seem pretty harse for kinder. I would voice your concern with your vice principle or even the kinder teacher - get their opinion.

Seeing as he's the only gym teacher for K-12, I'm sure he's seen every excuse in teh book as to why a child cannot do something, know what I mean? And a K student saying her back hurts when every other student is doing the exercise does seem like an excuse on her part. And being partnered with a boy shouldn't be a problem, I'm sure other students were paired opposite gender too.

My son had a hard time for a while in Gym in 1st grade, they had a segment on jumping rope and skipping hopscotch, and he was dead set that those were girls games and he refused. When his teacher sent a note home, I did get on him. I told him that there was nothing wrong with him and this was part of his schoolwork, and that learning to control his body while in gym class was part of keeping his body in control in the classroom.... explained to him that he won't always like school, there will be things he won't enjoy, but it all ties together nad he needs to do it all and try hard.

ANYWAY, my point is, I would talk to your daughter and explain to her taht gym class is part of school, and some times she won't like things that she has to learn in school, but its all still part of school and all things work together.

BTW, once my son learned how to skip rope, he learned he enjoyed it and did very well at it after that. He just had to get past the 'I can't do it/this is a girls game' thinking. I think once your daughter can do a sit up properly, she will feel great about herself and be excited.

Also, I think hte teacher sounds like kind of a jerk since he won't meet with you..... there should always be time for parental concerns.

It doesn't sound like your daughter's gym teacher likes teaching young children or doesn't know how. To tell you he can't meet with you is not right and I would go to the principal and request a meeting with the three of you. He is expecting little children to do what they do in upper grades and that seems a bit harsh. I also don't like that he is already expecting her to "make the right choice" because to a Kindergartener, the right choice is what doesn't hurt and not do what they don't want to do. I would also try getting a mat for her for the sit ups. It really is good for kids to learn to do them but in a fun and exciting way or they will grow up to look at exersize as a punishment.

Now that said.. it could be that the sit ups and all the exersize things he is doing is getting them ready for the presidental fitness awards so encourage her to do them.

Oh my goodness, I thought she was in Kindergarten and not boot camp! That is ridiculous. What next? And since when do children need to drill soccer balls. My gosh, they are still running and jumping trying to keep one foot in front of the other! They should be running off steam, having fun and most important... being children!
Sorry, I have sounded off on other subjects like this. They are trying to indoctrinate them early. I would schedule an appt. and definitely let the Principal know what was going on as well. If she flunks gym who cares. This is kindergarten, please keep that in mind!
In the grand scheme of things its not important.
Good luck and go with your Motherly instincts. Obviously, he didn't get the memo about how people can hurt their backs doing sit ups and crunchies the wrong way! I know that Teachers are up against a lot these days, but to blow you off like that? Big red flag!!! He sounds like one of these that can never be wrong!! I hope everything works out for your little peanut!

Tracey

In the state of Wisconsin, Kindergarten is not required. Talk to the school principal and tell her/him you do not want your child to participate in gym class. They can find another activity for your child to do, or your child can sit in the office reading a book while gym is happening. I bet you anything the gym class teacher will be alerted to this fact and he will take issue with it. He sounds like a drill sergeant/control freak so be prepared for some rudeness. It is well within your rights to disallow your child to attend certain parts of the curriculum. Check with the DPI, or a homeschooling mom, for more information. My Kindergartener's gym class is not at all how your child's is...my child has fun and does simple stuff, which is all they ought to be doing during their day at Kindergarten.

I agree that no teacher is too busy to talk with a parent and if they are, then the pricipal needs a call.

Hi D. -
Wow, it looks like you've already received a ton of responses. Hopefully, mine won't seem like the same thing you've heard. I'm a recreational therapist and all I can say is I'm surprised that this is all the gym teacher is doing in P.E. class. I have a 6 yr old and quite honestly, at times she gives me more details about what she didn't like about her day versus what went right. Kids are not always the best historians AND school just started for the year so, I am guessing the teacher may be just doing more of a fitness assessment on the kids. I believe at this age - he should be focusing on basics of many sport skills focusing more on coordination, flexibility, teamwork skills, physical fitness in general. Dribbling a soccer ball is not purely for learning soccer - it's also to learn focus, coordination, etc. I've used balloon games to help with getting down hand/eye coordination, volleyball basics, etc. At this age, they may use a lot of different modes to reach skill development sometimes through games or different types of equipment. At this time, it does not seem like the teacher is being very creative for this age group. If you are able - see if you could volunteer during PE class. There is a lot online on games and/or ideas. If the PE teacher is not willing to sit down - in my opinion, I would take it to the Principal and express some of your concerns. Kids also should have the opportunity to "opt out" if they do not want to participate in PE - sometimes there are just physical reasons why they can not participate. However, your dtr also needs to know that she may not get a "star" or a good grade for the day if she did not attempt the activity or if she chose not to participate fully. Kids do not like EVERY subject they have in school but it is important to gain what we can in them. Obviously, at Kindergarten level I don't think it's something that is "graded" but eventually it could pose a problem. Maybe encourage her to at least try and reward her for her efforts. Have her bring a yoga mat or a towel next week to class to help with the back issue. All you can do is offer support but also back the teacher a bit too by expressing to your dtr that it is important to try the best she can. She doesn't have to be the best in the class. Also offer reassurance that the teacher will eventually do something different in PE. Of course, if she is complaining another week about doing the same boring thing - it never hurts to lend a hand and volunteer. Good Luck~

At our school Kindergarten (and all other grades) always start with warmups...stretching, situps, etc. and a little bit of running to get them warmed up for the work ahead

That is so weird. Sit ups?? If anything gym HAS to be fun. Getting kids interested in exercise at a young age I think is great but this gym class sounds like it will make your daughter hate it forever! If I were you I would take her out of that gym class somehow. My son (turns 5 next week) goes to the 'little gym' near knollwood mall. He has since before he could walk. He has so much fun--it is all about developmental movement and brain development, music social time and FUN!! Like I said he loves it. If he didn't, and you can only encourage a kid so far, I would not force him to go because I want him to enjoy taking care of himself. Sit ups? help!

Call the principle, I don't know of any teachers that wouldn't make the time to work with a concerned parent.

I have gone to the principle level before over different issues, it has always been succuessfully solved.

G., mom of 4 (14, 12, 6 & 3)

What your daughters teacher is most likley doing is seeing how the kids cordination is . Sit ups and push ups help with cordination . I really do not think he is getting in her face and making her do it . I think he expects them all to try . I am friends with a gym teacher and both my kids have had her in the past and they made every thing they did not want to do sound horriable .
If I was you I would find out if he has a e-mail address and e-mail him . At both of my kids schools the teachers have e-mails so the parents can talk to them and make appointments . You have to keep in mind there is so many hours in a day and we all have lifes outside of work .

My daughter started kindergarden a week ago too but as far as I know her gym class is more about fun games (involving running around) then doing sit ups. They have gym class every day and believe me if they were having her do situps and pushups every day she would be complaining. I am shocked that the gym teacher doesn't have time to talk with you. This sounds a bit crazy that a gym teacher doesn't have enough time. I would speak directly to the principal at this point.

okay, I only read some of these but I have to ask if you could go watch the class. I realize that it's a little un-orthodox but it would be interesting to watch this interaction. Is there anyway you could go to the school and stand outside the door so neither of them knows you're there. I think that's the best way to really understand what's going on here. Maybe that particular boy scares her or hurts her (without meaning too). I'd like to think that the staff would allow you to poke your head in for a few minutes. Seems like it would be great to get this smoothed over ASAP. Good luck trying to make sense of this.

The exercises sound pretty similar to my son's current elem school program though I think they try to embed some element of "play" into what they're doing to make it fun. A couple thoughts:

A.) Funding for physical education is among the first to get cut. I personally think it is contributing to the weight problem in this country. So that gym teacher IS already strapped by having responsibility for ALL phy ed and he probably only gets XX minutes with each class per week. He's gotta make it count.

B.) I kinda like the idea of push ups and sit ups for girls. Girls can be just as gung ho about phy ed and sports as boys are. Conversely, I liked what I heard one mom say about her son having to do "girl" stuff like jump rope and hopscotch. Getting all kids to participate no matter the activity is gonna be a good experience.

C.) Seems like our school has a few basic metrics they have to report (arm hang, sit ups, run). Can't remember what they are. Anyway, your teacher is probably getting them ready to test out on these required exercises/drills.

Seriously?!? Sit-ups and push-ups in kindergarten? I taught music for a few years and then subbed before I stayed home with my kids. I live in an area with a very large school district and several smaller ones surrounding it. I do not know a single elementary phy.ed. teacher who uses such outdated techniques. It's okay to teach the kids how to do sit-ups and push-ups (later in the year would be better), but it sounds more like an exercise regimen. At this time of the school year especially, the teacher should be getting the kids excited about moving around and exercising. I totally agree with other posters. Go to your principal immediately. It's great that they still have it 3 times a week (a lot of places are down to once or twice a week.), but it won't do the kids any good if the instruction is only so-so or they all end up hating it.

I just thought of something a gym teacher friend of mine does. At the school she teaches at, they have a letter of the week in kindergarten. All of the week's games and activities start with the letter of the week and/or the equipment used starts with the letter of the week. It's a super fun way to get the kids moving and reinforces reading skills.

My kids did sit ups, drills, running in Kindergarten gym also. They did have some units that were more game oriented. From reading the responses, it sounds pretty split.

I would call the principal and let him know what the gymn teacher said and have him set up a meeting, it is unacceptable that a teacher wouldn't have time for a meeting when you have a concern.

I guess if I were you I would first address your daughters back hurting when she does sit-ups. Even if she shouldn't be doing them now she will eventually has to do them. What hurts about it? Does it hurt other times? Talk with her and ask her questions. Is it just an excuse because she doesn't want to do sit-ups? I would think about having her see a Chiropractor because this might make them easier for her to do. From the sounds of the teacher things are NOT going to be changing for her and now she has put a bullseye on herself, as unfair as it is.

That being said I would definately talk to the Principal. There is NO reason that the phy.ed. teacher is "too busy" to meet with you in person. I know that in our school the teachers are required to stay at the school for an hour after school and even time before school. This is partially to be albe to address parents concerns and gives the parents time to meet with them. Our phy. ed. and music teachers are also available during parent/teacher conference time. If you have not gotten satistaction by then you should check and see if they will be available then.

Good luck and my heart goes out to both of you because I know we, as mothers, always want to do what is best for our children even when it is a difficult decision.

Don't allow that teacher to get away with such a flippant response. I have been a teacher and I found that being able to speak with a parent about an issue usually helps to diffuse a situation. You should be able to find out from the teacher what the curriculm for the class is- this inculdes all the basic activities of the class as well as the objectives. There are reasons for everything. Motor skills development at the kindergarten age is the primary focus. I don't understandthe situps and I agree that there should be different types of activities. Keep on the instructor first, if you still are being stonewalled by him then go to the principal with your concerns next and let them know that the teacher, even through several tries, has never given you the opportunity to speak with them. Good Luck.

#1 sounds like they need to get rid of a gym teacher, go talk to the principal.

#2 all gym teachers/schools are different but: fall is jump rope and parachute and dodge ball, teaching children to be good sports. There are no physical skills that need to be learned as a 5 year old until they are confident in themselves and know how to be good sports and team members. Running a couple laps around the gym and some things like learning how to do jumping jacks and a few sit ups (not more than 10 each at age 5 and NO push-ups!!!) are not uncommon. Learning how to tell your right from your left was also important in gym class (your do skills by playing fun games though. He is tearing your child down instead of lifting them up. I know several home-schooling mothers that put their children in regular gym class at my school and would pull them out in a heartbeat if this was going on. Most schools have a way they do laps as well, either 1 minute in kindergarten and 1st, 2 in 2nd and so on OR gym laps per grade- 1 lap for kindergarten and 1st, 2 for 2nd and so on. My daughter's school is even like this with situps and stuff, so many per grade and I am pretty sure pushups don't start until 5th grade.

Hope this helps!!

My daughter's school I believe they all do the same thing in gym class. I think the k-6th graders all concentrate on a certain sport and they all do it for so many days or weeks. I know the teacher brings it down a bit when they're little like for basketball my daughter got to use a soft sponge type ball she was just to little to throw that big basketball up. They do learn basics, dribbling etc. They do fun things and it's not always sports either. I know when the weather is nice (not cold no snow) they tend to take advantage of it and go outside and do more sports. But my daughter also does fun games and activites too.

I would talk to the principal and ask if you can observe gym class sometime without your daughter knowing.

Remember it's physical education NOT recess. It's not all about fun and games they need to learn something too. These days they will learn about their bodies, eating healthy, you name it. There is nothing wrong with stretching, getting those muscles worked up before they start, running a lap or two, a few sit ups, jumping jacks that's part of the class.

I don't see anything wrong with the activities, but I might take issue with the teacher's approach or attitude. Kids need to be physically active and situps and pushups may be difficult for a 5 year-old but they are not impossible with practice. I started my daughter in Karate at age 5 (and I also am in Karate) partly because I don't believe school will give her enough physical training to stay active and in shape as she grows up. Each Karate class starts with jumping jacks, "crunchies", and pushups. There is usually time at the end for a quick "game" but for 30-40 minutes they are expected to follow directions and work on skills.

From what I can tell from my kindergartner, they play a lot of games. He seemed VERY excited about his gym class and seemed to have a lot of fun. If I were you I would contact the principal at the school since the gym teacher will not talk to you face to face. You would hate to start off the year and your daughter's school career like that.

Silly question what would the school say if you got your daughter a yoga mat? I'd have her practice at home on the weekends. Tell her it's not a option she has to try and do what the other kids are doing so she doesn't get into anymore trouble. Another Idea is maybe you can find out what time gym class is and you and your little boy go and watch her you might be able to get five minutes of the teachers time to chat about how you can both handle this situation?

Last year my son's K gym class learned how to play volleyball, T-ball, and archery(yes, twenty 5/6 years learned how to shoot with bows and arrows at targets). They also had a fitness unit where they did the usual sit-ups, running events, etc. On Fridays they have what the teacher called Fun Fridays where they played different games like tag and red light green light.

Is your daughter a very athletic kid, does she seek out physical activity or generally avoid it. If she isn't enthusiastic to start with then she may just be testing this teacher trying to get out of stuff.