Want Smarter, Healthier Kids? Try Physical Education! | Paul Zientarski | TEDxBend

Quality, daily physical education in schools not only reduces obesity amongst our children, but it improves academic performance.
With more than 40 years in the field of education, Zientarski has created a highly successful program called the Learning Readiness Physical Education (LRPE) program at Naperville Central High School. The program has produced such dramatic improvements in test scores, behavior and childhood obesity that it has inspired adoption in school districts from across the country and around the world, including Denmark, China, South Korea and Canada. His program has been highlighted on major TV networks and featured in documentary films. Zientarski shares his educational philosophy and programs with audiences nationwide, including the President’s Council on Health, Fitness and Nutrition in Washington, D.C.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@antcantantcant]

im literally watching this for an at home pe assignment edit: yes i go to ereckson

[@kamalaanandr2083]

mee to

[@krabguy2728]

Hello Jake

[@antcantantcant]

@@krabguy2728 hi mateo

[@dakotaent1779]

same

[@itsmegrace8568]

Me too

[@ravyn7561]

This is mind-blowing as a future teacher. I wish every teacher would watch and learn from this.

[@stevecook2348]

Thank you Paul. I’m about to retire from a long career in sales but I was originally a PE teacher Graduate of West Chester University where we always took great pride in our profession. Unfortunately I left the profession because I didn’t like being the potty break or discipline for other teachers. I’m passion is public speaking and I recognize the problem of inactivity and youth. I stumbled on your Ted Talk and I listened to it Three times. Now I know the message that I want to spread. You have inspired me to try to inspire others. Great job and Thanks

[@mylifeasliv1]

I love Mr. Z and I was in this class when I was a freshman in HS. He is the best. Such an inspiration.

[@Ghrainne]

and he said the Asian countries were asking what he was doing Rubbish Asians doe not need to follow your example. I just returned from South East Asian and they no help from you, Vietnam 3% overweight rate

[@nukenade4623]

@@Ghrainne thats because everything they eat in Vietnam is all fresh for the most part, thats not the case in america

[@sakeats]

@@Ghrainne in asia food is not often processed, it is directly sold from farms

[@wagdymosa]

Exercise has been an integral part of my life since I was 13 years old. I'm now 49 and I can still maintain the same physical health and wellbeing that I had as a teenager. I believe that exercise is the key to achieving whatever goals you set for yourself in life.

[@pelinks4uify]

Great job Paul. Excellent presentation to a different type of audience. We need to do more to inform the public of the potential impact of quality health and physical education.

[@VisaliaMuscle]

Thank you for assuring me in chasing a dream and how vital physical fitness is, not only for the body, but for the mind as well.

[@adora9888]

i just finished watching this presentation for my kinesiology class and i find it very inspirational i wish every P.E. instructor at every school in the United States shared his views; as well as every future P.E. teacher.

[@Jameswesten459]

same here

[@72swarren]

Paul - Thank you from all of us who care about our nation's youth.

[@mariacabanillas2095]

Great presentation! I'm glad there were sign language interpreters present. I'm an interpreter myself.

[@maryjosariscsany5237]

A must see for all principals and current and future physical educators!!!!!

[@Ghrainne]

rubbish

[@antonrohrs5357]

Thank you Paul for your inspiration. I am a student from Germany and am going to graduate in April. Also our teachers and most of the pupils do not take PE seriously. We have PE also only once a week and due to the inactive background of the majority of my classmates, the requirements have been scaled down by the PE teachers to enable everyone to pass the subject. The consequences of the inactivity of my classmates are as you have described obesity, psychological issues and increasingly poorer academic performance. Unfortunately, nobody wants to change this huge problem in Germany but your presentation gives me hope that we'll deal with this problem soon. I have almost completed my time in school but I am determined to implement your advice for my future life.

[@ThePESpecialist]

Great talk and research! I hope the future of Phys Ed looks more like the program you described here.

[@Ghrainne]

It is pure rubbish. I do not believe it is any use. DIET DIET DIET

[@simplefit93]

Ben, I couldnt agree more! Thank you for all that you contribute to Phys Ed through your blog. It has helped me greatly!

[@yongbangyang]

At 7:53-8:10 "Exercise is like fertilizer for the brain... it's so good, it's like Miracle Gro". It is exercise that builds new brain cells, not new learning.

[@sudhirsoam9195]

who are you men

[@wyattkingsberg1904]

...

[@thegamingrepublic7014]

Wrong but, still I agree with the rest. Exercise can help with the mind in behaviour and in memory. But not complete growth.

[@ajhoal4kii511]

It was enlightening to see him speak at CAHPERD 2019. Amazing!

[@paulredman8509]

Fantastic! My program includes a teambuilding, fitness-based, small-sided game approach and I am thankful to see that thinking reaching a larger audience! Interested to learn more about the specifics of the LRPE approach.

[@neejunimbark9244]

wonderful inspiration ,gives emphasis on physical education in this present internet world

[@cassiussaldana5920]

great presentation coming from a student. my class and I usually drift away from whatever our teacher assigns us to watch or whatever. However the entire class had full attention to this video. Great discovery. I love it and I'd love to help actual good teaching that'll set students for success, not some made up math they'll never use.

[@caillin1760]

I agree !!

[@AVPhil]

A lot of teachers will be inspired of this video! *thumbs up*

[@GyroZeppel]

They should start school later in the day as well because it is very hard for most children to focus on learning new ideas early in the morning before they have a chance to get active and exercise.

[@MarthaHarris314]

Well done #Paul Zientarski. A powerful message for educators and parents. Daily quality PE for all students.

[@nathansmith7253]

How does what they did in that physical education class apply to the standards, and how to you measure participation if that is how you are applying a grade?

[@UnknownNY-ee7vb]

Even though I already did the elliptical today the minute he said inactivity i started watching this standing up.

[@msk8104]

Great sir I am an physical education teacher in India tq...

[@mimmoschannel2502]

Very inspiring. Thank you

[@YoungChunds]

America needs this more than ever!

[@jamesmckillop3567]

Educators understand this, politicians do not quite yet. But they are beginning to see the value of physical activity and the importance of.

[@josh91935]

When he says “strategically placed” what does this mean? PE first thing in the morning? In the middle of the day? I loved the presentation but wish he would elaborate more on when PE should be implemented for students. Maybe it is right before their math and reading classes?

[@paulzientarski7134]

Strategically placed means schedule PE any time during the day and follow it up with a academic class you are trying to influence. It doesn't have to be only the first thing in the morning. Yes before math or reading

[@user-nl1qk6yn6l]

Really enjoyed this something I have felt for a long time.

[@maryspencer3142]

Great opening!

[@arichison]

Good stuff! My passion.

[@eddycastera2695]

I love this, the kind of physical Education is very important.

[@txiao4462]

the important means to keep fitness

[@Tictokshorts]

I'm going to become a physical education teacher.

[@DrumFIT]

We love this!

[@nokukhanyamphuthi6679]

Super enjoyed this ted talk👌

[@marktitheradge8281]

Purely & simply inspirational :)

[@itsyaboicarlisle3004]

Reminds me of the La Sierra P.E program

[@MrGerrards23]

I was going to say that I have been researching this and I wish we had that in the uk

[@Sportyfy372]

Well great speech. i am a physical education teacher from India

[@Tictokshorts]

This guy is the coolest gym teacher I've ever seen.

[@nicoles_handle]

im not from ereckson but you guys surely meddled with the algorithm

[@laradicecubicadi216]

That is great!

[@emilywong4601]

I think he is referring to kinetic learning styles.

[@dougwedel9484]

Just wondering how riding a bicycle to school affects these phys ed courses and overall fitness?

[@SuperKamiGuruu]

So very nice.

[@vigilantvillain8802]

Watching at 2x speed bc school Edit: Life Concepts

[@jennymeza29]

I guess he will be glad to know that I am one of the five percent of adults over the age of 25 to be in a sport, since I am 27.

[@galaxy_tripod0_0]

Lol my mom said I either have to do dance tutorials, go walk around a store for 2 hours, or watch physical education videos so. Here i am.

[@fawziyahi2652]

Some people hate PE because their teachers are horrible. Or they have really low self esteem and confidence but the thing that annoys me the most is how people will simply call you lazy if you don't like PE. You don't know their story why are you judging, Belive me when you call someone lazy it doesn't help calling someone with low confidence it makes it worst. Some teachers don't like the students who don't do well in their class and treat them unfairly I've seen it before my own eyes.

[@zeroaltwood]

pov teacher sent you this link to answer questions to at 9:50

[@MrSamuraki]

Reminds me of the book "Game Changer" by Phil Lawler

[@moshayy6]

+Peter Keane They worked in the same school district

[@MrSamuraki]

aaah, good stuff

[@davecao908]

I dispose pe as I was forced to have heart sacrificing left side for others in grade 10. Only needed 1 credit for hs. Never take pe or drama again.

[@omgsticc6697]

yo who got the answers from Durant

[@dougwedel9484]

The brightest students drop phys ed class and the students who are not expected to do much in life are the ones who do take it. That's opposite to what people now say about exercise. How does that compute?

[@thatsruffdog]

I think this guy might be biased...

[@callum4135]

anyone else here from their PE class this year

[@kayuavilasboas4983]

Sou brasileiro não sei inglês tchau

[@marcela2660]

KAKA 21 kkkkkk

[@geffenlevy3698]

help me do homework: what is the change that was put into that school? pls help lol

[@RexTheGamer55]

IDK. LOL.

[@joebolz]

PE is great for some kids. For other kids it is a hardship. When I was in school I wasn't athletic, however I was forced to run a mile in PE. I collapsed after about a quarter of a mile. When a kid is not athletic no amount of PE will make him athletic, it will just cause him to suffer.

[@pevolution1869]

👍🏽

[@morta9417]

Quien esta aca por el CLIL? :P

[@Fyerex]

Anyone here from eagles landing High

[@nathanericschwabenland88888]

I told u the terminators are coming

[@Dazhimself]

Want smarter kids? don't let them use social media

[@BlankTheKnight]

and i thoght mincraft would build my brain cells

[@coolbro7695]

CYBER DAY PEOPLE?????

[@goldenxskiies3268]

One teacher's passion, another student's horror. 😂

[@ronaldbunde8690]

Teach students at a very young age to ride unicycles like Japan does!

[@voxtemporis4503]

This individual obviously never heard of Columbine or saw the movie "Elephant". Phys. Ed (so-called) is a recruitment ground for a whole host of evils. Abolish it NOW.

[@TheYasill]

He talks like he's super pissed

[@YoungChunds]

No way he was literally so sweet! Males are so sensitive these days, hence we need these programs

[@timjordan2866]

Talks like a passionate teacher and a coach. Everyone hears and no one has to say, "what did he say?" Part of being a PE teacher. Large teaching area with kids all spread out... part of our day...

[@Chrisss.stx09]

I’m losing brain cells dude

[@dekulevi936]

Then we should discipline our kids, and not tell them, "He/She is very special."

[@40stitcheslater45]

There is lot of kool-aid that is being consumed here....Fitness-based physical education? Is it not cheaper for a school district to subcontract a certified personal trainer than hire a PE teacher with benefits and pension. Physical education is working to remove it's own profession! If you want a fitness based curriculum hire a fitness expert. That is lagging in the PE curriculum in higher ed today...The fact that you tie academic performance to physical education is EXTREMELY WEAK! Where are all the lawyers, doctors, and engineers that are derived from NCAA football and basketball? Are they not as physically active as NCAA cross country runners or swimmers? Check the GPA's folks then check the relationship to socio-economic status. Your studies need stronger controls and better design if you want to move forward with that agenda. If you want to be viewed upon and unique, special, and necessary you need to contribute a quality that is unique, special, and necessary. You need to teach skills not abilities....that we can subsidize and support. To pay someone 35K a year to teach kids to find their pulse and skateboard is ludicrous. Let's teach kids in urban Detroit to kayak...now there's an accessible and affordable idea...Sound ridiculous? I hope everyone get's the point. Otherwise you are on the path to extinction.

[@jessica.liu.x]

Mr killer of noobs Physical activity

[@KateFoley3]

As a Physical Education teacher, I have been trained to teach many different things. I am a fitness expert. A throwing expert. A running expert. A catching expert. A dribbling expert. A jump roping expert. A swimming expert. Just like an Elementary school classroom teacher has to teach and be proficient in many different areas, so do physical education teachers. Many schools do not value quality PE teachers -- hence "gym class" being something many of us remember. Unqualified teachers will provide a less than desirable experience. Qualified and quality teachers are proficient in many areas and will teach students things that are relevant to the district, that is what we are taught to do. I would not teacher kayaking in the inner city in PE. I would teach things that were relevant to the area. I would offer many things because not everyone wants to play basketball, but many do not know they like it until they try it. This is my job, to offer opportunity to lead a physically healthy lifestyle and the opportunity to be exposed to something they would not normally be exposed to.

[@timjordan2866]

interesting if you're opinion is the same now, three years after posting this. If it is the same, you've missed the boat, still. Hope you've learned otherwise.

[@AGBopking]

Tony Moreno i'm wondering who would read the bout p.e

[@PALISYU1]

PE os not a tool for improving academic performance.

[@jordonmlls1974]

what if it was?

[@timjordan2866]

Sorry, but you're wrong. :)

[@holladaytimes]

Uh, he literally cites data indicating that it is.