#69 Why more Physical Education and recess are the keys to better students in schools, with Paul Zientarski, TED Speaker and 40-year veteran Physical Education teacher.

What if there was a simple solution to getting better academic performance, reducing discipline problems, and greater engagement of our children at school? There is a simple solution, and instead of adding more of it, we've been eliminating it from schools altogether! Paul Zientarski shares how he has transformed school districts by simply adding more PE and recess to the daily schedule.

Enjoy the show!

Show Notes

6:15 40 years and 75 sport seasons - Paul's depth of knowledge and experience

11:15 We need to put the education back into physical education

15:45 What has to change to make PE relevant again

25:30 Kids need to move based on their attention spans – not sitting for hours

30:15 There is plenty of data to prove PE and recess are vital to learning

38:00 PE also improves discipline

42:45 What is the one thing Paul would change in schools

About Paul Zientarski

Paul Zientarski is an Illinois based PE consultant and retired teacher. Paul was inspired when he heard a Harvard professor speak about the positive influence physical activity has on the brain. Paul teamed up with a few like-minded individuals and together they developed the Learning Readiness PE (LEPE) program to prove physical activity has a positive impact on brain function.

The Learning Readiness PE Program collects and analyzes data that proves students perform better in a class they are struggling in if they preceded the class with physical activity. The research was a huge breakthrough in what Action for Healthy Kids refers to as The Learning Connection. Stated simply, healthy and active kids learn better. The Program has received worldwide attention and Paul has traveled the country presenting his brain research findings, explaining the effects of fitness and exercise on academic performance. His favorite moments include presenting brain science research to the Illinois Enhance PE Task Force and to the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.

Paul's investment in the mind body connection goes much deeper than LEPE. He spent forty years as a physical education teacher. "Helping kids lead healthier lives has been a priority of mine for years." The biggest struggle he's come across is trying to educate parents on making smart and healthy choices for their kids. As a loving parent and grandparent himself Paul says, "Every parent wants their children to be successful but they haven't figured out that success and happiness come from children who are healthy." He won't stop until his message is heard loud and clear!

Fun fact! Paul is co-author of a book titled "What Teenage Driver's Don't Know: The Unwritten Rules of the Road."

Get in Touch

Twitter: @PaulZientarski

Emails: ZCoach47@gmail.com

Website: LearningReadinessPE.com

TED Talk: https://youtu.be/V81cO8xyMaI

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Hosted by John O'Sullivan. Produced by Coach Reed Maltbie