Why take physical education in school?

Article

Physical education (PE) classes have numerous benefits. For starters, they introduce students to different sports and teach them about healthy life habits. They also help kids stay fit, focus in class, and develop various skills.

Strengthening knowledge and skills

Physical education shouldn’t be viewed as a kind of supervised recess. It’s an important class in its own right with high educational value. During PE, children broaden their knowledge while developing various skills. Here are just a few examples of what they learn:

  • How to identify and name parts of the body
  • How to recognize body signals
  • How to follow directions
  • Concepts related to time and speed
  • How to refine their motor skills
  • Etc.
Did you know

Did you know? PE classes aim to develop three main competencies:

 

  • To perform movement skills in different physical activity settings
  • To interact with others in different physical activity settings
  • To adopt a healthy, active lifestyle

Moving and interacting in a group

Physical education is essential to a child’s personal development because it helps them improve both their physical and communication skills. Game play allows students to act and interact with others in a group. It’s the perfect way to teach the following concepts:

  • Communication
  • Respect for others
  • Team spirit
  • Cooperation
  • Personal hygiene
  • Etc.

Improving health and concentration

In general, sports are terrific for health and concentration. School staff report that students are calmer, more attentive, and more willing to learn after a PE class. The positive effects of physical activity are numerous:

  • It helps with managing stress
  • It reduces anxiety
  • It improves physical fitness
  • It strengthens bones and muscles
  • It promotes endurance and coordination
  • It stimulates the imagination
  • It builds determination
  • Etc.

  

Did you know

Did you know? Physical education highlights all aspects of a healthy lifestyle, from exercising to eating right. Learn more about how healthy habits influence academic performance on our website.

Focus on the positives to motivate your child

Unfortunately, for all sorts of reasons, some kids don’t enjoy physical education classes. If your child falls into that category, try to boost their motivation by pointing out the positives. Remind them that PE lets them do the following:

  • Get to know their classmates better
  • Try out different sports
  • Push their limits
  • Relax and recharge
  • Etc.

What sports are taught in PE?

The sports covered in PE classes can vary from one school to the next. Here are some of the most popular choices:

  • Gymnastics
  • Circus arts
  • Relay racing
  • Tag and chase games
  • Soccer
  • Volleyball
  • Basketball
  • Jogging and running
  • Floor hockey
  • Etc.

Encourage physical activity outside of school

Physical activity is important for many reasons. Here are a few ways to encourage your child to stay active outside school hours:

  • Talk to your child about the benefits of playing sports
  • Play sports as a family
  • Praise your child’s progress
  • Find a sport they’re truly passionate about
  • Etc.

Collaborators

Writing : The Alloprof parents’ team

References