Physical Education Personal Reflections

The third lesson focused on the whole individual and the involvement with the whole child. S - Socially P - Physically I - Intellectually E - Emotionally S - Spiritually Social aspects of PE include children playing together and socially interacting. They learn values such as discipline, organisation, teamwork, responsibility, patience and tolerance. These help to mould them into balanced individuals. Physically PE maintains good health and fitness levels, strengthens the body, develops coordination,  sustains motivation to be active, promotes a healthy lifestyle and  evoke a competitive spirit within their peer groups. Intellectually it helps to get a more restful night's sleep, it encourages you to think at a higher level and improve concentration. Emotionally, PE helps to reduce anxiety and depression. Exercise is said to raise levels of serotonin and endorphins which are chemicals that have a calming and anti-depressive effect on the mind. Endorphins boost m...

The second lesson included categories of Locomotor , Non-locomotor and Manipulative movements also known as  Fundamental Motor Skills (FMS) are movements with specific observable patterns and Concepts of Movements: Space Awareness , Body Awareness , Relationship , Effort and Quality . The main concept of this class was to recognise that there is no movement without space, identifying spatial awareness and using effort fuelled by the digestive system. The definitions these categories of movements will be highlighted. Locomotor movements involve a person moving from on point to another. e.g. running, hopping, leaping. Non-locomotor movements are done whilst a person is in a stationary position which requires the person to move in planes, axles, or the waistline or from the joints. e.g. twisting, bending. Manipulative skills are gross or fine motor skills which involve using the hands, feet or another body parts to manipulate or control an object. e.g. throwing, catchi...

The first lesson in Physical Education (PE) came as a complete surprise to me. My expectations were different to the delivered class and it was a refreshing, informative and interactive session. Aspects of our personal perceptions of each other and self were explored and this gave rise to a meaningful discussion and group sharing of information. The definition of PE states that it is a non-competitive and non-academic discipline, but it is the instruction and care of the body ranging from callisthenic exercises to a course of study, providing training in hygiene, gymnastics and the performance and management of athletic games. PE allows the development of skills that would not otherwise be learnt. It was apparent from this lesson how valuable the pedagogy needs to be for children to delve into another dimension of their learning. Awareness of body, developing body confidence and movements, learning in a structured organised manner and in a comfortable environment.   ...