Physical education serves a distinct but complementary role in the education of learners by improving their physical fitness and well-being while teaching a range of motor skills. It must contribute to the broader goals of education by fostering self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperative behavior. As a program, physical education focuses on teaching and practicing sport-related skills without the competitive element. Nevertheless, sport itself serves as an international language.
This part of physical education is practiced in various forms, both for recreation purposes and as highly competitive sport within a competitive framework. Sport is the niche where the skills learned in physical education can be utilized in a competitive environment, including skills in administrative organization, rules, and physical skills. All of these skills are practiced together with the common goal, usually to win. Additionally, the Plump-line test can help identify posture deviations of learners by observing them while standing beside a lump line.
This is typically a long, straight ruler-type line, perpendicular to the floor, where the child must stand beside it. The child will be observed from both the side and rear to detect any deviations such as Syphilis, Loris’s, and Scoliosis. To view from the side, follow a line through the middle of the ear and shoulder joint, slightly in front of the ankle bone, and observe for any abnormalities. To view from the back, follow a line through the middle of the head, vertebra, and middle of the buttocks, equidistant between the heels, and observe for any abnormalities.
Knowledge of the structure and function of the body is crucial in physical education as it provides insight into body mechanics, allows for early detection of posture and growth issues, and helps improve overall body strength. Additionally, integration of physical education with other subjects is necessary due to its advantages and benefits as part of the school curriculum.
Research has found that children learn certain academic concepts more effectively through motor activity compared to traditional teaching methods. Incorporating motor activity, such as games, can be highly beneficial in teaching mathematical principles like whole numbers, sets, the metric system, field proportions, and measurement. Furthermore, motor activity can be useful in teaching small motor skills in language learning, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Additionally, in social studies, where the physical environment and understanding different cultures are important, motor activity can assist in recognizing and exploring the diversity of people’s games, dances, and customs.
During health and safety lessons, physical education can be incorporated to measure heartbeat and breathing and emphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise. In the context of art and culture, physical skills like dancing can be used to express emotions and ideas about oneself or the environment. Additionally, physical education can aid in understanding scientific concepts such as gravity, force, and levers. It can also explain concepts like wide bases, low center of gravity, and Newton’s laws of motion. In early childhood teaching progression, stages of development are seen as approximate time periods to acquire specific skills rather than rigid requirements. Learners in early primary school grades often exhibit characteristics such as physical immaturity, short attention spans, and limited experience in games, dance, and gymnastics. Therefore, they require ample exposure to these activities.
They should actively explore and understand the functioning of their bodies. Therefore, it is important to prioritize the concepts and skills related to movement. In the first and second grade, educators should focus on innovative and adventurous methods to teach the skills required in games and gymnastics. This should include both locomotor and non-locomotor skills, as well as various movement patterns. Dancing activities should encourage creativity, develop rhythmic abilities, involve singing games, and incorporate imaginative movements. Of course, each activity should be appropriately adjusted to the learners’ level of maturity and ability. Moreover, neglecting to assist injured learners may result in being charged with negligence.
Permitting learners to engage in risky games, inadequately instructing them, and taking unreasonable risks are all issues that need addressing. Additionally, proper organization of field trips is essential. To improve parent-community links and involve parents in the school’s sports program, follow these guidelines: prioritize good communication to avoid misunderstandings and obstacles, establish a preseason parent orientation program to prevent typical problems between coaches and parents. This orientation acts as a useful tool as it helps parents understand the goals of the program.
By allowing parents to become acquainted with you, you can inform them about the nature of the sport and its potential risks. Additionally, you can explain why you do not put pressure on children too early. Parents also get to know team rules, regulations, and procedures, as well as what is expected of athletes and themselves. This helps establish a clear line of communication between yourself and the parents, enabling you to understand their concerns. At our school, we elect a parent chairperson/contact person through which everything is regularly communicated from both sides.
Parents can be asked for help in managing the season’s activities. To communicate positively with parents, it is suggested to discuss the coach’s background and coaching philosophy at the first preseason meeting. Paying attention to logistical details, especially conflicts between practices and matches with other extramural activities, is important. Financial considerations should also be considered. It is recommended to ask about any concerns parents may have and involve them as much as possible in different aspects of the season.
Please ensure that safety and other important information, such as nutrition and equipment use, is explained carefully. Additionally, remember to hold a postseason evaluation meeting where any unspoken problems and evaluation of the previous season can be discussed in a positive manner. This meeting is a valuable tool for improvement and becoming a better coach. Furthermore, when setting goals, view them as stepping stones towards success and make sure they are accepted by the athlete.
In order to acknowledge success and determine necessary actions, goals need to be measurable. Additionally, goals should be regularly reviewed (monthly, weekly, or daily) for optimal effectiveness. It’s important for goals to be specific instead of vague or general. The review process should also establish a timeframe for achieving the goals. In my opinion, the use of various drugs such as stimulants, analgesics, steroids, diuretics, social drugs, and blood doping should be prohibited not only in school sports but also across all other sports.
It is currently necessary to support the assertion that going against the principles of fair play, honesty, and good sportsmanship contradicts what sports represent. As an athlete and sports enthusiast myself, there is no more disgraceful way to compete than when one party has an unfair advantage. Furthermore, we must protect young athletes from the temptations of substance abuse. Moreover, it is crucial to eliminate the harmful effects that certain drugs can have on an individual’s aggression from sports around the globe.
