Teaching PE and Sport in schools for the last 19 years, has allowed me to develop great insight into the vast array of benefits that physical education offers. It is certainly a passion of mine to share my love of physical activity with those I teach.
There are endless amounts of research that demonstrates the positive benefits of physical education and sport (PES) in schools on both children and educational systems. The benefits of children's development are not just physical but extend to lifestyle, affective, social, and cognitive domains. It is suggested that PES has the potential to make distinctive contributions to the development of children’s fundamental movement skills and physical competences, which are necessary precursors of participation in later lifestyle and sporting physical activities. They also can support the development of social skills and social behaviours, self‐esteem and positive attitudes, and academic and cognitive development.
It is imperative that students develop a positive attitude towards physical activity and understand that it is not just about the physical skills that are developed during PE and sport lessons but the opportunity to extend social skills, thinking skills; both critical and creative, communication skills, boost self-esteem and cognitive development.
The buzz word of the last few years in the PE world has been ‘Physical Literacy’. In short it means having the competence, confidence and motivation to participate in sport. It’s about having more than just the physical skills to participate but also having the knowledge, behaviours and confidence that motivates us to live active lives. Our level of physical literacy impacts how we think and process information, our attitudes, emotions and feelings and how we interact with others when being physically active. It is about developing our whole self and not just the physical skills of running, jumping and throwing. Increasing your knowledge and physical skills gives you the confidence to solve problems and take action in everyday life.
Physical literacy can lead to better performance in the classroom with increased focus and motivation, as well as stronger social connections. By developing physical literacy and making daily physical activity the norm, we can set ourselves and our children up for active, healthy and fulfilling lives.
I challenge you to start considering what you can do to improve your physical literacy and that of your children. Encourage them to develop their movement skills by running, jumping, throwing and swimming. Let them play and learn every day. For more information on physical literacy, visit sportAUS.gov.au
