VIDEO: Want to Fight Childhood Obesity? Bring in the Clowns
Two Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey entertainers made an energetic visit to John Paulding kids this week to teach health and fitness – clown-style.
Strrrrretch. Do jumping jacks. Drink, don't spit, lots of water. And balance a ladder on your head.
Well, at least some of the antics on display this week at John Paulding School, care of two clowns Joel Jeske and Harold Moeller, were things kids could and should try at home.
The two circus performers visited the school's gym to teach our youngest school-age kids health and fitness by way of this lively and funny approach. The show was part of the Ringling Bros. "CircusFit" national initiative and these kids were clearly loving it – pointing, jumping, screaming, and giggling all the way back to their classrooms.
pcuvie
8:23 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
What expert fitness credentials does Ringling have with regards to teaching people, especially kids, how to stay fit. After seeing some of the overweight Ringling Bros. Circus performers and workers it seems Ringling is in no position to be giving advice to anyone, especially kids, on how to stay fit. It seems highly inappropriate and unprofessional for a public school to allow the circus to give "advice" to kids on fitness.
AMR
8:40 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
Ringling Bros. performers are athletes in the truest sense. And childhood obesity is an issue that needs to be addressed. If these kids can be inspired to lead more healthy and active lives as a result of visits such as this, then that is all that matters.
Krista Madsen
10:15 am on Saturday, February 18, 2012
I agree, it's a fun and unique approach. At this age they hardly need much in the way of exact lessons and more get-off-and-your-butt-and-jump-around activities, which this was perfect for. Also, if you watch video they are laughing their little heads off, which in of itself will make you live longer