Importance Of Sports And Physical Education In Schools

- KMV Redhills

Physical education has long been a mainstay in most school curriculums. As a matter of fact, it has often been advocated that exercise, in general, must be a mainstay in everyone’s daily life. Schools have always understood this fact and have very often promoted sports for their students and built facilities so as to support the same. However, in recent times it has often been argued that it is necessary to increase the number of hours per week that students spend out on the field. Contradictory to this, it can be noted that many schools are yet to buy into this cause. There could be a multitude of reasons for this. Indian parents, by and large, don’t have much use for sports in their child’s curriculum. They would prefer school boards to instead focus on academics. Secondly, administrators may feel uncomfortable with the notion of sacrificing teaching hours in exchange for an increase in hours of physical education. Finally, sports have often been blamed for a student’s poor performance in academics. At the same time, the last point is an old myth, as the data hasn’t conclusively proven that there is any difference between the average student pool and the student pool that actively participates in sports.

Between these various criticisms, administrators have often had a hard time moving proposals for an increase in physical education hours forward. In spite of this, arguments to the contrary continue to persist and are beginning to sway schools towards their side. As the array of benefits that physical education & sports provide continue to become more well known, both schools and parents alike have begun to get behind the increase of physical education hours for students. So let’s have a look and understand why it is becoming so important for schools to implement policies that provide students with more time to focus on sports and more weekly hours for general physical education.

Physical Fitness

This is undoubtedly the greatest benefit of physical education in schools. While parents have in the past, have argued against an increase in physical education in school, it is simply because they would prefer their children to spend more time on academics and don’t really believe that physical education does not, in fact, help in developing the body. Physical fitness is the key ingredient for a healthy lifestyle. This is why physical education is an important element in most schools. When students have regular fitness activities as part of their daily regimen, they stay fit and healthy. Regular physical activities daily help in better absorption of nutrients in the body and also help in improving cardiovascular health and developing muscular strength.

Social Interaction

Apart from the classroom, physical education is the only time when students can meet and interact with their classmates and other schoolmates. It helps improve their social behavior. During the physical education class, they learn to cooperate through various group activities and get a sense of identity from each other as well as of the team. These social activities continue to play an important role in the growth of a student into a better professional. For instance, sports is one of the best sources to instill team building, leadership, and management skills in them.

Social Skills

Physical education that begins in early childhood demonstrates the value of cooperation while being part of a team gives them a sense of identity. When PE teachers model pro-social behaviors, children gain skills that pave the way for healthy interactions and relationships throughout life. This teaches them essential communication skills and social skills. It helps them become team players, work alongside a diverse range of teammates, and be able to support others.

Self-Esteem and Character Development

Playing team sports in a structured setting reinforces leadership and good sportsmanship. Playing various roles on a team and gaining new skills encourage students to respect themselves and their peers. It also teaches them to be understanding to others and support them through their difficulties.

Gestures such as a handshake, a pat on the back, or a high-five from a teammate help to build confidence and camaraderie, and earning praise from coaches or other players also helps to improve self-esteem. This then leads to increasing children’s confidence to trust their abilities and to progress their skills within their sport.

Reduces Stress

There’s immense academic pressure on kids lately. Most schools give importance to core subjects, and students are under tremendous pressure to perform better in these subjects. Even after spending several hours in school, they have to work on homework at home, and this leaves them with little time to do anything else. And because children spend a lot of hours on academics, this leads to a lot of mental and physical pressure. Physical activity can help take some of those stress and anxiety away. Physical education in India also leads to emotional resilience and stability.

Change of Pace

We all know what happens to us when we do not take a break. It affects our work, and we lose focus. This monotony affects kids as well. They need more than one break in a day if they are completely academically focused. This is where physical education comes into the picture. When students get involved with physical activity in the school, they can break the monotony and burn up the excess energy that is causing boredom, leading them to fidget in the classroom as well as not being able to pay attention in the classroom.

Better Academic Performance

Contrary to popular belief, sports actually have a positive impact on academics for children. The many benefits of PE carry over from the playing field or gymnasium into the classroom, leading to a better academic performance. Research reveals that children who take part in physical education are better able to regulate their behavior and stay focused in class. Often sport gives children an opportunity to take their minds off their academic studies. It offers the chance for them to relax, release pent-up emotions, and spend time having fun with their friends.