Physical education is defined nowadays as a “systematic instruction in sports, exercises, and hygiene given as part of a school or college program” (Park). When most people think of the term “physical education” they think of it as “a broad, inclusive term comprising the fields of physical education, health education, safety education, athletics, recreation, dance education, kinesiology and so on” (Zeigler 1). It may sometimes be referred to as physical training or gym class and mainly is taught in grades kindergarten all to the way up to your senior year in high-school in the United States. The history of physical education dates way back to the Greek and Roman times and has slowly evolved into what it is now today. There is a long tradition that goes along with physical education and many events and people have helped influence it over the years and it has now developed into a profession in America. Some of the earliest influences on physical education were that of the Roman and Greeks. The Greek culture had a major focus on physical education and their education was divided into two key elements. One was “gymnastics and the other was “music.” Gymnastics was what people consider today as a regular gym class where sports and games were played. Music was all of the other academic subjects. So they had a big emphasis on physical education. Greek boys were encouraged to become athletes and later on participate in Olympic Games (Siedentop 24). The Romans were different from the Greeks in the sense that they really did not make up their own philosophies. Their empire was built through the wars that they won, and they would adopt the culture of those they conquered if it would benefit them. Military training had ... ... middle of paper ... ... 42). Throughout the century it was clearly evident that it was changing to more of just fitness for an objective rather than anything else. Nowadays physical education is required for students from elementary school all the way up to graduating high-school. As well it should be. It is very important in my opinion for people to be physically educated. I believe people should know about their bodies and how to keep them in good shape so they can live a long, happy life. It is important to keep physically active and physical education can help satisfy that. It is a subject that has had a long tradition throughout our history. It first started as people basically just moving around and playing games to now it being a full on profession that one can make a career out of thanks to all of the people and events that took place to help shape what it is today.
... physical education (J. Sproule, Ed.). Retrieved February 25, 2014, from Sage Journal website: http://epe.sagepub.com/content/11/3/257.short#cited-by
Lastly, the textbook states that “A high-quality physical-education program parallels whole-child education. While the main focus is on physical development (psychomotor), it also addresses the knowledge (cognitive) and social (affective) aspects of the child”
Physical activity should be encouraged at an early age. It would be best to make physical education a required school curriculum. A student taking a physical education class will have many benefits. For example, a child taking a physical education class will learn about proper exercising. It would also be wise if the instructors integrated information about healthy eating habits into the curriculum to further increase a child?s knowledge on good dieting. This will help a child develop physically more in strength and endurance which in turn will build healthy bones, muscles, and muscle development. Furthermore, at the same time a child will maintain a healthy weight from eating a nutritional diet. Having studied some physical education classes from personal experience, the coach was very passionate about being healthy. Before leaving P.E. class everyday, he would review all the major food groups and stress that the students stay away from fried foods and consume more fruit in their diet.
I must admit, I have never really stopped to think about what constitutes a good physical education program. How about a great one? The article “The Physical Education Hall of Shame” by Neil Williams touches on just that; well actually, maybe the opposite. His article is a list of games or activities that in modern day can only be described as the embarrassments of the physical education world. Physical education has a specific goal in mind; to enable students in the development of physical activity that will encourage a healthy lifestyle lasting into adulthood.
Gabbard, C., LeBlanc, B., & Lowy, S. (1994). Physical Education for Children: Building the Foundation, 2nd edition. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, inc.
eight to ten) should be applauded for this, but frowned upon for not enforcing it on senior high school students (grades 11 and 12). Physical Education is defined as “the process of education that develops the human body, specifically fitness and movement skills” (Baker, 1990, p. 14). This teaches students valuable skills that would be applicable to life, present and future. Students also learn how to work and interact with others to pursue goals in a way which academic subjects, such as mathematics and science, may not provide. Physical Education should be a requirement for all British Columbia high school students because it provides physical skills necessary for effective social functioning, offers educational value and teaches healthy habits reducing health risks.
Siedentop, D. Introduction to physical education, fitness, and sport. 7. McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages, 2009. Print.
Over the past decades our culture has changes dramatically. To which our nation was once a physically active nation. Yet now it seems that society discourages physical activity. The human race has been dependent on automobiles, discouraging people to walk or bike, increasing the chance of a poor life-style. Yet there are many factors that affect the achievement and maintenance of a healthy life. Young people are growing into a diverse society, which is characterized by rapid change, inactive work and leisure practices that influence unhealthy behaviors. By incorporating physical activity into peoples daily routine will increase their chances of being healthier, reducing certain diseases and learning how to avoid injuries. Physical education helps students improve their knowledge about health issues and practices that will lead to a more enjoyable life. Students playing and working in a team together develop social skills, teamwork, achieving goals, and development of self-esteem. Overall physical education provides the potential for a better life style.
Some parents state that school work is most important and physical education distracts time from learning. While this is true, PE class is just as important because it gets kids active and it gives children a mental break. Physical education obtains students a grade, therefore it is a class that students must attend. Similarly, calisthenics improve student’s grades in other subjects thus, is not a waste of time.
Speregen, Kathy. “Physical Education in America’s Public Schools”. University of Michigan. SiteMaker, n.d. Web. 26 April 2014
Physical education is an important area in schools today. If taught correctly, it can develop physical and mental skills as well as develop a sense of self. By participating in physical activity, a student’s skill will naturally increase to the demands placed upon it. If a student never tries then their skill will never grow. The mental skills one develops in a physical education class are proble...
In this essay, the role and benefits of Physical Education and School Sport will be identified from in and outside the school curriculum. The benefits that pupils have gained from the national school curriculum, what has changed from the past to present day in schools and how it has affected Physical Education in School Sport will be discussed. Also, mental and physical health benefits that occur from Physical Education will be mentioned in this essay along with what the teaching standards were like and how Physical education has changed such as different teaching ways.
Physical Education classes, also known as P.E., phys. ed., or just “gym” classes, are not something many people enjoy. Some people have pretty horrific memories from Middle School, Junior High and/or High School. So, it might not be something students want to repeat during the college experience. That said, there are more than two sides on whether physical education classes should be made mandatory every semester for college students. One side is that they shouldn’t be made mandatory for any college student, any semester. Corollarily physical education classes should be made mandatory for every college student, every semester. Other sides are; some degrees which have a high amount of physical activity should be the only ones required to have physical education classes mandatorily every semester or that physical education classes should be made mandatory, but not ever semester and not for every degree. This essay will focus mainly on the pros and cons of whether mandatory physical education classes should be required for every student, every semester.
“Physical education plays a critical role in educating the whole student. Research supports the importance of movement in educating both mind and body. Physical education contributes directly to development of physical competence and fitness. It also helps students to make informed choices and understand the value of leading a physically active lifestyle. The benefits of physical education can affect both academic learning and physical activity patterns of students. The healthy, physically active student is more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful. … Throughout the school years, quality physical education can promote social, cooperative and problem solving competencies. Quality physical education programs in our
Physical education time is being cut in schools to give more time for students to focus on core courses such as Science, Math and Reading. Some districts have eliminated the course or do not even provide it. These courses, although are very important, should not take away from a student’s well-being. Physical education provides a foundation to a student’s future lifestyle and good health habits. Physical education should be treated like every other foundational course because it is a necessary part of a student’s lifestyle that will benefit from every day. Physical education provides: 1) a variation of motor skills aimed to enhance the physical, mental, social and emotional development, 2) an understanding to improve and maintain their physical well-being and 3) opportunities to advance developing social and cooperative skills while gaining a multi-cultural perspective.