Kids in Crisis
COPA program promotes physical activity for children and families

With more than a quarter of California’s school-aged children defined as overweight, according to a 2005 study by the California Center for Public Health Advocacy, answers to the childhood obesity epidemic do not come easily. Some say it is the endlessly advertised snack foods and sugary beverages that bombard our children. Others point to the lack of exercise brought on by hours in front of the television and the prevalence of videogames and computers. Either way, unless current trends change, today’s children will be the first generation to have a shorter lifespan than their parents.

 
Little Company of Mary’s Community Health Department takes a hands-on approach to physical inactivity by offering fun, accessible programs during the school day, after school and at “Family Nights.” Recently, the U.S. Department of Education provided funds to expand the program, known as COPA — Creating Opportunities for Physical Activity — to 13 elementary schools in San Pedro, Wilmington, Lawndale and Hawthorne.

 
Today, most classroom teachers get little or no physical education coursework in their teacher preparation training. COPA helps teachers learn innovative outdoor classroom management techniques and the opportunity to practice movement skills that make learning and participating fun for kids. Over the course of a school year, physical education specialists from Little Company of Mary meet every other week with 182 teachers and their students in a “peer coach” training environment. Initially, the physical education specialist models the lesson, which leads to “partner teaching” the lesson, and as the teacher gains confidence, the specialist steps back while the teacher takes the instructional lead. Throughout the school year, kids learn new skills, develop fitness goals and build confidence in a non-competitive environment. This year, 4,550 students are participating.

Debra Bina-O’Brien, principal at Wilmington Park Elementary School, has seen a marked improvement in her COPA students.

“The kids have energy. They are more willing to get out there and join others in activities,” Bina-O’Brien said. “I have seen kids who were once loners become team players. We feel very fortunate for the generosity of Little Company of Mary in bringing these well-planned and brilliantly executed physical education programs to our school site. It is a great opportunity for our teachers, kids and their families to have a good time while learning essential lessons about the importance of life-long physical activity.”   Continue »

Page 1 | Page 2 | Return to Index

Please read our Disclaimer | About your Privacy | Copyright © Little Company of Mary
Joint Notice of Privacy Practices | Esta Notificación de Prácticas sobre Confidencialidad