Purchase Solution

P.E., Obesity, NCLB, Self Esteem, Biculturalism

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

1. On page 238 of the textbook, the author states that schools have reduced physical education in order to spend that money on more academic classes. She also states "an hour a day of active play is more likely to improve academic achievement than to impair it".

If your child's school reduced physical education classes, what studies and arguments would you use to convince them of the need for physical education? Do you think it's the schools' responsibility or the parents' responsibility to provide opportunities for physical activity?

2. On page 236 in the text the topic of obesity arises "Many 7- to 11-year-olds eat too much, exercise too little, and become overwiehgt or obese as a result." The text mentions that the United States has an obesity epidemic among children. Why do you think the U.S. has such a high obesity rate among children and what are some ways parents, caregivers or schools can effectively decrease the obesity issue among our children?

3. Children in elementary through high schools are seeing more and more standardized tests each year, not even including class finals, SATs, and AP/IB exams. In 2001, the No Child Left Behind act made standardized testing a common procedure in schools, making teachers rearrange their curriculum to match the content of the exams. Many complaints have been made by students and teachers regarding the NCLB Act. "Another major complaint against No Child Left Behind is that it requires too much testing, based on the assumption that tests measure learningâ?"an assumption many teachers dispute." (P. 260)

What is your opinion on the mandatory standardized testing in public schools? Do you think it's necessary? Do you think it's an accurate way to measure a child's academic aptitude?

4. On pg. 275 our text states that "self esteem is tricky"and correlates levels of self esteem in both social and academic situations, then relates the complicating effect of cultural context, stating "the importance of self esteem may be a social construction". It further states that "academic and social competence are aided by realistic self evaluation, not by unrealistically high self-esteem (Baumeister et al., 2003). Given how much our society stressed building a child's self-esteem, should our culture now reevaluate this general statement and encompass a more balanced approach?

5. On page 251-252 the author describes the importance of biculturalism and how it affects bilingualism. According to the textbook, learning two languages at an early age can give a child cognitive advantages over a child that is monolingual. What I find very interesting is that the United States still has not recognized English as an official language of the United States. With so many Latino immigrants living in the United States, there has been a great increase of Spanish speaking individuals in the United States; more specifically, a greater increase of bilingual Spanish-English speakers. At the rate that the Spanish speaking community is growing does anyone think that the United States several years from now will adopt Spanish as a secondary language? Would it be possible for Spanish and English to be official languages similar to the way Canada recognizes French and English as their official languages?

6. The book talks about family function on page 281-282. This is how a family functions based on the age of its children. At each group of ages for children, they become more independent and require less help on a daily basis with simple tasks. The book also mentions the effect of a divorce on children at certain times in their life. Do you think large changes such as beginning kindergarten or middle school and dealing with a divorce at the same time can damage a child in the long run?

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

Discusses how physical education in schools is beneficial to children, how the lack of physical education can contribute to obesity in children, NCLB act and standardized testing, the importance of self-esteem, and how biculturalism affects bilingualism. The solution includes 1280 words, and 1 reference.

Solution Preview

1. A child's body requires so much movement, especially young children. If a child is allowed to release that energy, they will be able to concentrate more on the academic areas in which they are learning. Children also learn from physical activity, they can learn how the body moves, as well as developing their large motor skills. Physical activity also helps to enhance a child's imagination and creativity.

I think it should be the responsibility of both the school and the parents to provide opportunities for physical activity. The reason is because the school needs the child to remain focused on the task at hand, and this can be done by releasing the energy inside the child so they can be allowed to focus. If a child is anxious and wanting to play, they are less likely to do well on assignments; however, if they have been allowed to play to release the excess energy, they can concentrate more. According the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, physical education helps to improve a child's judgment, reduce stress, facilitates the development of self-discipline, and helps to improve a child's self-confidence and self-esteem (1).

When a child goes home from school, so many are left to care for themselves while parents work, and in today's world of technology, so many children sit in front of the television or video game instead of getting physical activities. This in part is why so many children are obese and over-weight. Physical education can also teach healthy eating habits, and teach children to be more active to improve their own health and ways to stay healthy for the future.

2. In society today, with the poor economy, for most families to be able to survive it requires both parents to work, that is if there are two parents living in the home. For these situations, it is much easier for ...

Solution provided by:
Denise Maddon, MA Ed
Education
  • MS,
  • MA Education (Family and Community Services), Ashford University
  • B.A., Ashford University
  • A.S., Oklahoma State University
Recent Feedback
  • "Thank you! I will look these up to read for my paper. Thank you for your guidance."
  • "Thank you Denise! Very helpful! :) Be safe. "
  • "Thank you"
  • "Thank you"
  • "Thank you"
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Positive Psychology

A quiz related to the introductory concepts of positive psychology.

Motion Perception

This quiz will help students test their understanding of the differences between the types of motion perception, as well as the understanding of their underlying mechanisms.

The Psychology of Sleep

This quiz is to check your understanding of the sleep-related part of psychology.

Perspectives of Psychology

A review of main theoretical perspectives and those most closely associated with them

Theories of Work Motivation

This quiz tests the student's understanding of the major theories of work motivation from an organizational behavior perspective.

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Current obesity theories and weight management

    Theories- Fat Cell Theory Set Point Theory Consequences: The consequences of overweight and obesity can range from psychological effects that impact quality of life (e.g. poor self-esteem, discrimination, depression) to physiological conditions

  • Teenage Depression

    For instance, depression and self-esteem tend to be inversely related because the more depressed an individual is the lower his or her self-esteem. As depression increases, then, self-esteem tends to decrease.

  • Problem of Adolescents - Delinquency vs. Obsesity

    This is shown for it effects their self-esteem, peer relationships and popularity. There are expectations when dealing with obesity can be unrealistic and thus will tend to include medication development and lifestyle changes.

  • Lane Bryant Case Study: Riding the Plus Wave

    Explain the success that Lane Bryant is currently experiencing in relation to self-concept, self-esteem, and self consciousness. How can the plus-size industry leverage what we know about consumer behavior to address self esteem issues? 2.

  • Obesity and Kids

    There is existing research that points to poor eating habits, overeating, lack of exercise, family history, low-self esteem, emotional problems like depression, family problems, medications and lack of exercise that are blamed for obesity in children.

  • Taxonomy of Motivations

    The combination of lots of close friends online and a close tie to the network itself leads to a loss of self-control that leads to poor spending habits and obesity.

  • Teen sexuality leads to abortions and increase in STD's

    Broken families cause low self-esteem. Low self-esteem leads teens to seek acceptance and fulfillment from their peer group. Their peer group encourages them to try drugs, binge drinking and sexual exploration.

  • Childhood Obesity in America

    Depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder have been linked to poor nutrition as well since teens and children with weight problems are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem and have an increase in emotional problems.

  • Sociological Imagination and Social Phenomena

    Social issues include being outcasted and made fun of by peers and co-workers and suffering from low self-esteem (which sometimes results in overeating even more).

View More Related Solutions