PDFE #9 "Importance of Early Grades Physical Education"

I believe my background in PE in elementary school was pretty normal, nothing out of the ordinary.  I went to school at Blue Ridge Elementary School in Evans, GA, Columbia County School System.  I think we went every day for about an hour.  We had about 3 or 4 PE teachers who taught the different activities.  I can't remember how many students there were at a time, but I do remember that the gym where we had PE was very crowded.  There were students from many different classes.  The gym was next to the fields and playground area.  It had the normal activities and equipment provided to the students.  We played alot of four corners, four square, and basketball.  We also did hula-hoops, jump rope, and played alot of kickball outside.  I enjoyed everything except kickball.  I learned how to jump rope really well. Our school was very big on Jump Rope for Heart and I participated every year for that. 

I do not believe that the GA requirements for Physical Education in public schools is adequately preparing our students.  With the lack of physical activity that most kids receive at home and the kind of diet they consume, I believe there should definitely be a stricter requirement for mandated PE classes.  I especially believe that the strictest requirement should be for the early grades.  I really wish I had more coordination and athletic ability than I currently have.  I believe that if I had enjoyed myself more and learned more from PE teachers in my past, I may have been able to do some sports growing up.  If we don't start giving more attention to the early grades I don't believe those kids will ever come to enjoy being physically active. 

I think an ideal program would be one in which the students learn a variety of skills, not just play sports every day.  It would be beneficial to learn the movements necessary to perform the different sports.  I believe that's one aspect of alot of PE classes that is seriously lacking.  One that emphasized individual and team activities would also be helpful. 

Physical Activity is very beneficial at this early stage of life, because that's when most kids decide whether or not they enjoy subjects in school.  It also boosts confidence and makes you a more physically fit person.  Physical Education is important at this age because learning the skills behind the sports is often more helpful than just playing the sports.

Traditional approaches to PE concentrates more on the learning of the skill, more practice, and anyone can teach it.  The skill theme has an equal amount of practice, no one's singled out, everyone is active, and it requires a Physical Education teacher that is qualified to teach it.