Importance of Physical Education in School Curriculum
When we discus about the Importance of Physical Education in school curriculum, we cannot just furnish with 4 to 5 points or sentence for that, Physical Education has a huge importance and contribution in our daily life and thats so in the school curriculum as well. PE now has become mandatory part of the curriculum in schools especially in India, but it is hard to imagine that it was not always a part of schools. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is suggested that young children should be participating in 60 minutes of exercise per day at least 3 times per week in order to maintain a healthy body.
Physical Education itself is a huge subject with numerous number of topics, It traced back to the mid 19th century when it was mostly focused on Gymnastics, hygiene wellness and care of the human body. In 1823, the Round Hill School in Massachusetts was the first school to make it as an integral part of its programme. By 1950 over 400 Colleges and Universities of United States were offering the Physical Education major to teachers. Since its inception, the schools has changed and enhanced the curriculum multiple times.
Definition :
Physical Education has been defined by various scholars and experts as per their perception and depth knowledge. The following are some important definitions :
1. According to National Plan of Physical Education and Recreation, "Physical Education is a education of physical activities for the development of total personality of the child to its fullness and perfection of the body, mind and spirit".
2. According to C.I. Brownell, "Physical Education is the accumulation of wholesome experience through participation in large muscle activities that promote optimum growth and development".
3. According to C.C. Cowell, "Physical Education is the social process of change in the behaviour of human organisms, originating primarily from the stimulus of social, big muscle, play and related activities".
The significance of including Physical Education in schools curriculum and how its directly impact the students Body and Mind will discus here,
Health and Well-being - Regular exercise during school hours can lay the foundation of healthy lifestyle and they stay fit as it helps in better absorption of nutrition in the body and also preventing various chronic diseases, Obesity, Mental disorders, maintain good posture. It improves your cardiovascular fitness, Endurance, Flexibility, Agility, Strength Body composition, etc.
Social and Emotional development - Physical Education is not just about physical fitness, It plays an Important role in Social and Emotional health also. It improves your mood especially the group activities and team sports helps you to connect other people and it also helps you to build team work, leadership can interpersonal skills.
Academic Performance - There is a myth that Physical Education hamper the Academic performance of the students as somehow it has rigorous activities and training, But According to some scholars and researches It improves and increases the academic performance. It stimulates brain function, enhances memory, increases brain neurotransmitters, increased flow of oxygen in the brain, etc.
According to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, "Physical activity can have an impact on cognitive skills and attitudes and academic behaviour all of which are important components of improved academic performance. This include enhanced concentration and attention as well as improved classroom behaviour".
Stress Management/Reduction - Physical Education provides a valuable outlet for students to reduce the stress and anxiety as it pumps up the production of your brain's feel-good hormones called as Endorphins (body's natural painkillers and mood elevators), which makes the students happy, it enhance the mood and free from overthinking as well. Exercise or physical activities reduces levels of stress hormones of the body, such as adrenaline and cortisol.
Discipline and Punctuality - Discipline is the first and foremost thing in PE and time management as well. Physical Education teaches the students how punctuality and self-discipline defines an individual's character, strength, abilities and self determination. It enhances self respect, personal honour, dignity. It also improves efficiency and enhance productivity to achieve goals.
Building confidence and self-esteem - By doing regular exercises one can gain a good posture and good physical appearance likely to strengthen and tone the body, on top of that its improving the fitness, athletic performance and learning new skills as well as PE providing opportunities to showcase skills and to achieve goals, which boosts students confidence and self-esteem.
Conclusion : Here in this article I have discussed about the Importance of Physical Education not only in School curriculum but also in an individual's daily life, how it enhances a person and develops in every aspect physically, mentally, holistically, etc.
FAQ
1. What is the role of Physical Education Teacher in school?
Ans : There are too many roles and responsibilities of a Physical Education Teacher in a school but the main roles are to provide knowledge of physical activities, skills of different sports, to maintain overall discipline of the school, to help them achieve goals, to provide the students equal opportunities on the field of sports and motivate them to boost their confidence, etc.
2. Who is the Father of Physical Education?
Ans : The Father of Physical Education is " Friedrich Ludwig Jahn ". He is also known as the Father of Gymnastics who has founded the turnverein an international gymnastic club in Germany in 1811.
3. Who is started Physical Education in India?
Ans : "Harry Crowe Buck" , he was an American college sports coach who founded the YMCA college of physical Education in madras in 1920. He had build the base of the Physical Education in India.
Good explanation
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