This document is divided into three parts. Part 1 introduces the Health and Optimum Physical Education project and explains that this project operates under the premise that movement education contributes to a child's total development. In part 2 four concepts are identified as the foundation for efficient and effective movement, and the way in…

This bulletin, which focuses on the role of physical education in the development of children, contains 12 articles. The topics of the articles include a) movement, b) characteristics and examples of good physical education programs, c) safety education, and d) the learning environment. The booklet also includes a selected bibliography on…

A program is described in which fifth graders in Alaska learn water survival techniques with school and community help. (DS)

Results of a survey of fourth-grade pupils, using the Piers-Harris Self Concept Scale, suggest that humanistic, success-oriented movement programs can affect the development of children, especially in feelings about themselves, about school, and about social competencies, when compared to children who have been deprived of such a program. (MJB)

Mini-volleyball, lead-up games, and tournaments are described. (PS)

Incidental learning has been the most prevalent method of teaching cognitive concepts in elementary physical education. The importance of emphasizing cognitive learning is advocated. (MT)

Two views of the appropriate subject matter for elementary school physical education are discussed. One involves physical activities such as sports skills and games, and the other looks at human movement such as space and relationships. Textbook authors from 1917 through 1987 are classified according to their perspective. (MT)

This study assessed the stability of student/teacher interactional behavior over one academic year. A total of 52 classes with the same teacher were observed, and teaching behavior was quantified using the Cheffer Adaptation of Flanders Interaction Analysis System. Results are discussed. (Author/MT)

Describes how attitude statements were gathered from young children and used to produce a scale for measuring their attitudes toward the physical education curriculum. Reports test reliability and validity and indicates how standardization and greater ease of administration may be achieved through the use of an audio tape presentation. (Author/JDH)

This article focuses on Positive and Effective Multicultural Interaction (PEMI). To achieve PEMI, games and activities must support opportunities for inclusion of people who differ from one another. Four low organized games which encourage bonding and autonomy are described. (MT)

Games offer experiences which should be incorporated into the total physical education program to give students a wide range of opportunities. Suitable themes for teaching games to different elementary ages are suggested. (MT)

The basic skills of running, jumping, throwing, and ball handling are of primary importance in physical education programs. A battery of four tests and a chart of average performances are presented for testing elementary students. (CJ)

Project PERMIT (Physical Education Resources for Mainstreaming and Inservice Training) uses peer teaching to increase the amount of individual attention of handicapped children in an elementary regular physical education class. (DB)

The impact of regular physical conditioning conducted in a public school environment on children with moderate asthma is studied. Evaluation criteria are school absenteeism and severity of asthma attacks. (JMF)

Six physical education specialists were asked to rate their second, fourth, and sixth grade students on physical performance, peer relations, cooperative behavior, and ability to reason. When the ratings were repeated eight weeks later, a high degree of stability was found across the four variables and for all three grades. (Author/SJL)