When Fitness Ideals Disappear: Why Kids Still Need Something to Strive For

Recently, YouTube announced it will begin limiting teen access to fitness content that “idealizes” certain body types or physical abilities. The intention is good protecting kids from unhealthy comparison. But it raises an interesting question:

If children aren’t allowed to see anything to aspire to… what exactly are they striving for?

This isn’t just happening online. For years, traditional school PE programs have quietly shifted away from physical benchmarks and measurable goals. Instead of “Can you run faster?” or “Can you do one more push-up than last month?”, the focus has become broad participation and inclusion. Kindness matters. Acceptance matters. But so does challenge.

Because here’s the truth:

Kids feel amazing when they accomplish something hard.

Believe it or not, in the 1950s, physical fitness standards for students were clear and achievable. Pull-ups. Sit-ups. Running goals. Not extreme just enough to say, “Wow, I’m stronger than I was before.” Kids had role models. They had something to work toward. And most importantly, they felt capable.

Today, many children rarely experience that feeling of physical progress. Without goals, motivation fades. And without motivation… well, let’s just say convincing a child to run laps “for fun” doesn’t usually go well. 😉

PE Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Let’s be honest not every child loves team sports. (I was the student who dreaded dodgeball but happily lived in ballet slippers and gymnastics mats.) And that’s exactly why we believe physical education should never be one-size-fits-all.

At Creative STEAM, we don’t force traditional sports as part of our daily curriculum. Instead, we create opportunities for choice and joyful movement. Students can join run club, play volleyball, wiffleball, flag football, basketball, gaga ball, hula hoop, or simply move and play in ways that feel natural to them. During recess, students choose what they want to play because when kids enjoy movement, they move more.

We also offer after-school classes like dance, yoga, and movement workshops, giving students even more ways to explore physical growth on their own terms.

Why This Matters for Homeschool and Alternative Education Families

Here’s where homeschooling and alternative learning communities have a huge advantage: choice.

Families get to decide what physical growth looks like. That might be:

• Sports teams

• Dance or gymnastics

• Martial arts

• Tennis

• Outdoor adventure days

• Or just good old-fashioned playground races

When kids train, practice, and improve, something incredible happens. They gain confidence. They learn discipline. They feel proud of their bodies — not because they look a certain way, but because they are capable. And that confidence carries into academics, friendships, and life.

Why Striving Still Matters

When children work toward a goal whether it’s learning a dance routine, running a faster lap, or mastering a new skill they build confidence that spills into every part of life. They learn perseverance. They feel capable. And that feeling is priceless.

At Creative STEAM, We Believe in Growth In Every Way

We believe children deserve opportunities to stretch themselves mentally, creatively, and physically. Progress builds confidence. Challenge builds resilience. And striving builds joy.

Encouraging children to become the best version of themselves isn’t pressure.

It’s empowerment.

Because deep down, we all know:

✨ Striving makes us better. ✨