Knowledge
Moving Minds and Bodies: The Importance of Physical Education
Physical Education classes are where students get to interact with each other in a free zone; wherein they also learn how to cooperate during group activities.
“Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.” – Joseph Pilates.
Physical Education is a learning process that focuses on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that are imperative for students to embrace a lifestyle of health and fitness. It provides cognitive content and instruction designed to develop motor skills, knowledge, and behaviors for physical fitness. It can even provide students with the ability and confidence to be physically active for a lifetime.
Physical education fosters personal and community wellness by empowering students to attain healthy, lifelong attitudes and behaviors through physical activities as a part of the total educational experience. It promotes a physically active lifestyle by promoting good health and acting as a preventive measure against diseases; is a program for muscle strength and fitness, builds self-esteem, and develops skills of cooperation, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Apart from these, it brings out the competitive sides of students working both body and mind. It allows the students to interact together toward a common goal which is to win and excel physically.
Physical Education is the only subject in schools that helps with physical and emotional health. It helps children learn better and cultivate the character that they need to be productive adults. Whereas it is rather unfortunate that even after having such significant impacts Physical Education is not given that much importance. Being unaware of the principles of health and fitness only means children risk chronic diseases and an unhealthy lifestyle. Participating in physical education classes puts students on track to making exercise a regular habit, and keeping a track of obesity levels which is the root cause of various chronic diseases. Regular exercise reduces stress and contributes to healthy sleeping patterns, better mental health, immune system functioning, and overall well-being. Apart from the classroom environment, Physical Education classes are where students get to interact with each other in a free zone; wherein they also learn how to cooperate during group activities. Thus, Physical education should be considered as important as the core subjects.
What is the Need for Physical Education?
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.
“Exercise is the key not only to physical health but to peace of mind.” ~ Nelson Mandela
Author – Charu Kapoor, Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Uttarr Pradesh
