Title: 100 Physical Education Activities
Author: Denis O’Driscoll
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 978-1-4969-8447-0
Pages: 48
Genre: Health & Fitness
Reviewed by: Marci Goodman
Pacific Book Review
A compilation of various simple exercise activities listed in a bibliography at the onset of the book, author Denis O’Driscoll has itemized rather clever and humorous names to the movements described in order to give people, children in particular, fun experiences moving their bodies. His book is simply titled 100 Physical Education Activities. Yes, children are blessed with a broad range of motion and balance; as well as adults who stretch or practice yoga. These activities are precisely geared to be enjoyed by the “elasticity of motion” inherent in youth because often they require group participation in which adults may find – well, childish.
For example, one exercise called “Chinese Get-Up” instructs two kids to sit back-to- back on the floor with interlocking elbows; then try to stand up using each other to push against. Or another of my favorites is the “Sore Toe Hop” which simply has the person hop on one foot while holding the other foot in both hands. One could “hear the giggles” of youngsters doing this in a group. With imagination kids could play “Invisi-Ball” which is like air-football; running, reaching to catch an invisible ball and pulling it into the body. Who really needs the ball when the mind can “make one up?” The 100 activities are all safe and designed to focus children on ways to develop more physical coordination while burning calories to maintain a proper muscle-to-weight ratio.
Some of the games are designed to promote team activity and challenges which are more fun than simply stretching or doing isometrics. Small props such as balls, buckets and balloons add a dimension of playfulness, but most activities do not require anything extra. The sequencing of which activities to do and timing of events are mentioned towards the end of the book in which O’Driscoll highlights various suggestions for teaching methodologies in order for people to get the most out of the activities.
100 Physical Education Activities makes for a good alternative to the video-game generation getting kids off the couch and into the fresh air. It is also an ideal checklist for use in creating programs in PE in schools, activities for active clubs or warm-ups for team sports.
100 Physical Education Activities makes for a good alternative to the video-game generation getting kids off the couch and into the fresh air. It is also an ideal checklist for use in creating programs in PE in schools, activities for active clubs or warm-ups for team sports. This is a great collection of exercises and activities for families with young children. Children will feel pleasure and satisfaction in the things that they do and accomplish here with balance, coordination and teamwork.
