Physical Education (PE) is the most powerful and underappreciated preventative medicine for present and future health issues – for the body, mind and spirit. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has described rising levels of physical inactivity, together with the substantial associated risk of disease, as a pandemic. In schools, PE captures everyone and not only those who want to be active. It teaches children great life and health lessons.
Putting it simply, PE teaches a child to be a more active and healthy adult.
Children need to be active every day to promote their healthy growth and development. The challenge we are faced with today is to encourage children to sit less and to move more. Australian children are spending more time than ever before sitting or lying down (known as sedentary behaviour), often because they’re using electronic media. To benefit their health, children over five years old should be physically active for at least 60 minutes every day.
Health benefits of Physical Education:
- Improved physical fitness
- Skill and motor skills development
- Provides regular, healthful physical activity
- Teaches self-discipline
- Facilitates development of student responsibility for health and fitness
- Influence moral development, leadership, cooperate with others
- Stress reduction – an outlet for releasing tension and anxiety
- Strengthened peer relationships and social inclusion
- Physical education can improve self-confidence and self-esteem
- Respect – PE helps you respect your body, classmates and teammates
- Experience in setting goals
- Improved academic achievement through undertaking regular exercise
Getting children to move helps strengthen and stimulate their brains; numerous studies undertaken in recent years have clearly proven the link between regular exercise and improved brain function. We know that increased fitness equals to improved academics.
At Mandurah Baptist College, we are extremely passionate about Physical Education, as we know the life-long habits of adults are predominantly formed throughout childhood years. We strive to develop well-rounded physical literacy in children, so that they may go on into adulthood enjoying the myriad of holistic benefits for a lifetime.
Written by Nicolette Diamanti, Physical and Health Education Teacher.
As part of Mandurah Baptist College’s broad education offering, the College encourages students to participate in our extensive K-12 sports program. Find out more by clicking here.
