It is no secret that appropriate physical activity is necessary to a student’s overall well-being. The benefits of physical education in schools are far-reaching, including both increased student physical health and better academic performance. The advantages of physical education are more than just running around a track or kicking a ball. It teaches children key life skills alongside improving their health and wellbeing. Obesity continues to rocket across the globe and more people are taking on sedentary lifestyles. Promoting a positive mindset about exercise from an early age will help to keep them healthy as they get older.
The Multifaceted Benefits of Physical Education
In recent years, many schools have cut back on their physical education programmes, placing greater emphasis on academics as they strive to prepare students for college and the workforce. However, the importance of physical education cannot be overlooked. Research shows that adults who had regular PE classes in school are more than twice as likely to be physically active as their non-PE counterparts.
This answers the critical question: “Why is physical education important?” and highlights its role in instilling healthy habits from a young age. In fact, children who have regular Physical Education lessons at school will be likely to experience the following benefits:
Physical Health Benefits
Well-versed in child development, PE teachers ensure that the curriculum consists of age-appropriate activities that support growing minds and bodies. They will adapt lessons to make them appropriate for their groups and ensure that they do not overwhelm children with skills or requirements that may be too advanced. At the same time, they know when students are ready to be pushed.
Improved physical health
Physical education plays an important role in developing well-rounded fitness habits and overall physical development in students. By engaging in PE activities such as sports, students enhance their motor skills while simultaneously improving muscular strength, cardiovascular health, flexibility and hand-eye coordination.
Furthermore, one of the benefits of regular physical education is that it not only bolsters physical capabilities but also educates children on the positive benefits of exercise and allows them to understand how good it can make them feel.
Cultivate healthy lifestyle habits and prevent obesity
Participating in PE puts children on track to make regular exercise a habit, which is important for combating obesity and reducing the likelihood of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. By making exercise ‘normal’ from an early age this becomes ingrained in them throughout their lives.
Physical education also motivates children to expand their skills, as grasping the fundamentals of one sport makes it easier to master the rules of another. Since students spend a considerable amount of time in school, it is an ideal setting to empower them to take responsibility for their health.
Often a secondary benefit of physical education is that children become more aware of what they are putting in their bodies. They realise the importance of a healthy, balanced diet and that sugary snacks are not the best way to gain energy for their sport. They will often want to find out more about their bodies and this again teaches them to care for themselves and others.
Mental Health Advantages
Regular physical education classes offer profound benefits for children’s mental health and are a key part of holistic development in education. Structured physical activity can become an important outlet for tackling stress and enhancing overall well-being.
Stress reduction
One of the advantages of physical education is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety among students. Engaging in physical exercises releases endorphins, the body’s natural mood lifters, which play an important role in decreasing stress levels. This biological effect makes physical education classes a vital component in managing students’ mental health, providing a natural outlet for stress relief and promoting a sense of calm and relaxation in their busy academic lives.
Enhanced well-being
Besides reducing stress, regular exercise via PE can foster healthier sleep patterns, which in turn promotes better cognitive function and emotional regulation. Studies highlight that students who maintain an active lifestyle are more likely to experience restorative sleep, which is essential for brain health, immune system functioning, and overall well-being. This cycle of physical activity and improved sleep quality creates a foundation for a more focused, energised, and balanced student life.
Social Skills Development
Being active is not just about physical health. In fact, the values of physical education make it a powerful medium for nurturing social skills and relationships from a young age.
Teamwork and cooperation
Physical education that begins in early childhood demonstrates the value of cooperation while being part of a team and gives children a sense of identity. When PE teachers model prosocial behaviours, children gain skills that pave the way for healthy interactions and relationships throughout life. By working together and achieving goals as a team, children quickly learn the benefits of teamwork, growing into supportive and sociable individuals.
Communication skills
Physical education is also important for the development of communication skills. Through team sports and group activities, students learn to express their ideas clearly, listen to their peers, and work together towards common goals. This environment of constant interaction and collaboration fosters improved verbal and non-verbal communication, crucial for building relationships and understanding within and beyond the classroom. As students navigate the challenges and victories of team sports, they develop the ability to communicate with a diverse group of peers, laying a solid foundation for interpersonal skills that benefit them throughout life.
Self-Esteem and Character Development
According to the International Platform on Sport and Development, “Sport has been used as a practical tool to engage young people in their communities through volunteering, resulting in higher levels of leadership, community engagement and altruism among young people.”
Physical education and team sports play an important role in enhancing students’ self-esteem and fostering character development. Through the structured environment of team sports, students learn how to support their teammates, experience leadership roles, understand good sportsmanship, and the joy of achievement. This experience also teaches them to respect themselves and their peers, fostering an environment which encourages empathy and supporting others through difficulties.
Confidence booster
The accomplishment of physical goals and receiving encouragement from others is an excellent confidence booster for developing children. Supportive gestures such as a handshake, a pat on the back or a high-five from a team-mate all help to build confidence and camaraderie. This, alongside earning praise from coaches or other players also helps to improve self-esteem, leading to increasing children’s confidence to trust their abilities. It is also important for children to understand that self-esteem should not rely on winning or losing, but in taking part and learning from every opportunity.
Resilience and leadership
Physical education and team sports are inherently full of challenges and introduce children to the reality of winning and losing, teaching students resilience by encouraging them to persevere through setbacks. Students learn that there will always be winners and losers but that it is important to accept this and to get back up when needed, or in turn to encourage those around us to carry on.
Accepting constructive criticism and applying it to improve oneself is also a crucial lesson taught through physical education, enhancing students’ ability to adapt and grow in all aspects of life. As they refine their skills in both individual and team sports, children also develop self-discipline and learn the importance of setting goals. This discipline, such as adhering to rules and acceptance of coaching decisions, even those they may disagree with, instils vital life skills that extend far beyond the sports field.
Better Academic Performance
The benefits of regular physical education activities can be carried over from the playing field to the classroom.
Improved concentration
Physical activity has a direct correlation with improved concentration among students. Research indicates that children who participate in regular PE sessions are better equipped to regulate their behaviour and maintain focus in academic settings. This enhanced ability to concentrate is crucial for absorbing new information and excelling in classroom activities.
Better academic outcomes
One of the advantages of physical education is its ability to set students up to be better equipped to overcome setbacks in both sporting and academic challenges. The discipline, perseverance, and goal-setting skills fostered through PE activities contribute to developing effective study habits and overall academic success. This foundation is important for creating a resilient learner capable of achieving higher academic standards across various subjects.
Challenges in Implementing Effective PE Programmes
Despite understanding why physical education is important for developing well-rounded students, many schools find it challenging to implement robust PE programmes into their curriculum. These challenges range from budget constraints limiting resources for PE equipment and facilities, to curriculum pressure to prioritise academic subjects over physical development.
A significant obstacle for some schools is the lack of facilities or dedicated space for physical activities. This makes it tough to deliver comprehensive PE programmes that cater to student’s needs as well as provide opportunities to explore a wide range of physical activities.
Case Studies: Successful PE Programmes at OWIS
At OWIS, PE is an important component of a well-rounded curriculum, designed to aid the physical, social and emotional development of our students. Our Sports Programme features specialist-led classes where students will learn about the value of teamwork and physical activity as a lifelong healthy habit.
Besides classes, OWIS also provides ample opportunities for students to participate in team sports and inter-school competitions. Our unique House Sports Activities, orchestrated by student House Captains, promote leadership and fair play across all grade levels. These activities offer an excellent way for students to feel connected to the wider OWIS community. Participation in these house activities is streamlined and inclusive, there’s no need for students to sign up, as House Captains organise the teams in advance, ensuring every child is included and has the opportunity to contribute to their House’s spirit and success.
OWIS: Where Physical Education Shapes Lifelong Success
At OWIS, we firmly believe in the transformative power and importance of physical education, not just as a complement to academic learning but as a fundamental component of our students’ overall development. With comprehensive PE programmes across all grade levels, we nurture resilience, communication skills and habits for a healthy lifestyle to prepare our students to lead balanced, fulfilling lives long after they leave our campus.
(This blog was originally written in collaboration with Ms Marisa Healy, former Physical Education (PE) Teacher, OWIS Nanyang.)
