During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions on going out and other activities have led to an increase in people who are not getting enough exercise. Municipalities and boards of education across the country are racking their brains to improve children’s physical fitness. Oita Prefecture is a prefecture that is attracting attention. In 2008, the prefecture was ranked 40th in the prefectural physical ability test. This time, it has jumped to 2nd place. Oita Prefecture’s educators, who took the result of 40th place seriously, have been working to improve classes so that children can take part in exercise independently. The keywords in Oita Prefecture were “Understanding,” “Being able to do,” and “Having fun.” In order to encourage children’s independence, the teachers who support and instruct them seem to have accumulated wisdom, ingenuity, and practice.
Based on the results of 2008, Oita Prefecture has been reforming its physical education classes. This included the hiring of a specialist physical education teacher. In physical education classes, a specialist teacher and the class teacher worked together. By working on the class together with the homeroom teacher, the general teachers’ understanding of exercise has deepened. Physical education teachers also teach at elementary schools throughout the prefecture. The number of physical education teachers, which was initially six, will increase to 24 in 2023. Oita Prefecture has been placing physical education teachers at model elementary schools since 2009. New physical education teaching materials are being created and efforts are being made to make it fun for children to participate. In order to increase the vitality of the region, it is essential to create an environment that people can easily play outside and exercise. Such conditions may have been established in terms of both human resources and infrastructure. A survey by Oita Prefecture showed that the average weekly exercise time of fifth graders in elementary school is higher than the national average for both boys and girls.
It is said that interacting with various people through exercise during childhood improves communication skills as an adult. It is also said that interacting with various people through exercise during childhood also improves one’s independence. And even in modern companies, the “importance of independence ” of young people is being called for. Being good at sports and having high academic ability are guaranteed by adequate food and sleep, as well as exercise and learning environments. Factors that improve children’s sports ability and academic ability include “parental enthusiasm.” There is a third variable that affects sports ability and academic ability. This third variable is called a confounding factor. It is important to take into account the possibility of confounding factors that affect children’s sports ability and academic ability. This confounding factor may be contributing to the education of prefectures with high academic ability and physical strength.
