Knowledge
Active Bodies, Active Minds: Connection between Physical Education and Cognitive Development
It is clear that physical health is the pathway through which you can keep the mental health of your child on track
COVID has not only affected us mentally but also weakened our strength, ability, and positive thoughts. We have observed that now students are not able to stand in the assembly ground for 20 minutes due to the lack of proper immunity and physical exercises.
Out of the many subjects children study in school, there may be none more important than physical education. However, it must be of high quality and aligned with state/national standards and guidelines. A high-quality physical education program offers children opportunities to develop the skills, concepts, and dispositions needed to be physically active for life. Sufficient, regular physical activity not only helps prevent major diseases but also: promotes learning; reduces stress, anxiety, and depression; and improves overall student wellness. It doesn’t matter if the child excels in every other subject in school and grows up to become a successful professional, with poor health any professional achievement becomes secondary.
There are many factors that contribute to the ease of implementing and sustaining a quality program, including the involvement of the administration, parents, and community. However, it ultimately comes down to the willingness of the physical education teachers to do their best no matter the situation.
That being said, REAL teachers still need our support and appreciation. This can be in the form of equipment (every jump rope, pedometer, heart-rate monitor, and homemade scoop catcher counts), classroom assistance, time and funding for professional development, and advocating for quality physical education at the local, state, and national level.
There are several reasons why a student must involve in physical educational activities, they are:
- It improves the learning aptitude of the students.
- Improves cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, mobility, and body consumption.
- Improves power, agility, reaction, time, balance, speed, and coordination by use of all senses.
- It develops the skills of the children.
- Children learn and practice motor skills in a safe environment. This allows for satisfying and successful participation in physical activities like individual and team sports.
- Regular physical activity helps to release tension and anxiety. It also helps to build resilience and emotional stability.
As children master skills, they become more confident in their abilities. When children are successful in a safe learning environment, they become more confident, assertive, self-controlled, and independent.
It is clear that physical health is the pathway through which you can keep the mental health of your child on track. It plays an important role in the development of a student’s life. There are various factors that should be considered in the development of sports activities. One of these is the age of the student. It is important for a physical educator to help students to make the right choice of physical activities either now or in the future.
Author – Dr. Kunwar Arun Singh, Director, Sunbeam School, Ballia
