Play more, score more

your child, a couch potato — this is a reality that bites. if you think a child who keeps his nose in the books is a dream child then think again. a child who is overweight, has poor health and little or no team spirit, can turn into a nightmare for any parent. principals and physical education experts stress sports and physical activities are crucial for the all-round development of a child.‘‘sports build up the personality of a child, and teaches him or her to take victory and defeat in stride,’’ said physical education teacher at universal public school in preet vihar, khargesh joshi. these activities also teach children to channelise their emotions, he added. many principals said the problem becomes acute in higher classes, when parents become entirely academic-oriented. ‘‘once children finishes class ix, parents do not want them to participate in any tournaments or practice sessions,’’ said ramjas senior secondary school principal m balachandran. birla vidya niketan in pushp vihar has made activities like swimming, gymnastics and skating compulsory for students till class iii. they are optional in senior classes. ‘‘parents think that children are wasting their time on the play field. but it is not so,’’ said principal madhu chandra. she cites the instance of her son who went for the dda millennium tournament just 10 days before his boards and still scored 98 per cent in mathematics. she goes to the extent of saying that a child should devote 45 minutes to an hour for physical activity even during exams.