1. THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION Presented by: VILMA CHARLTON CANOC Seminar  December 3 – 4, 2012  Knutsford Court Hotel

2.  Physical Education in some form or other is as old as the human race.  Primitive societies employed it mainly for survival and group unity: also used for recreational purposes.

3.  There has been controversy as to what to call this aspect of education and as to what it should comprise.  Ancient Greeks called it gymnastics, as did the Germans and other Europeans in the nineteenth century.

4.  The term physical training was used by the military, and physical culture was the term used in the latter part of the nineteenth century.  The term physical education developed as a protest against the formal activities of gymnastics with its formal method of teaching.

5.  Physical Education enables individuals to express themselves through creative forms of activity and participation and promotes joy as well as reflective thinking and self-discipline.  It includes vigorous activities, sports and games for the development of strength, skill and endurance.

6.  It also includes rhythmical activities and dance for the development of poise, skillful movement, social grace, and artistic expression.  In Jamaica, Physical Education was first introduced in the army sometime after the Great War of 1918. (Drill to PT to PE).

7.  FOR MANY YEARS PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS ALL OVER THE WORLD HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR THIS SUBJECT TO TAKE IT’S RIGHTFUL PLACE IN THE SCHOOL’S CURRICULUM.

8.  IT IS A WASTE OF TIME  IT GIVES YOU BIG MUSCLES, MAKES YOU LOOK MASCULINE  ONLY THE DUNCE DO PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT  THERE ARE NO BENEFITS TO BE DERIVED FROM PLAYING

9.  PLAY ENHANCES LEARNING  PLAY GIVES YOUR BODY A BETTER COMPLEXION, A BETTER MUSCLE TONE, A BETTER FEELING.  IT ENCOURAGES BETTER EXCRETORY ACTIONS.

10.  IF YOU ARE ‘DUNCE’ YOU WILL NOT MASTER SOME OF THE BASIC PHYSICAL SKILLS MOST SPORTS NEED IN ORDER TO PERFORM WELL.  IT PROVIDES GOOD DISCIPLINE WITHIN THE INDIVIDUAL AND DOES SO FOR LIFE.

11.  IT CAN MAKE YOU A TOUGH INDIVIDUAL, ONE WHO WILL NEVER GIVE UP DESPITE HARDSHIPS.  IT HELPS YOU TO BECOME ORGANIZED IN YOUR GENERAL LIFESTYLE e.g. more cooperative, more considerate.

12. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT  Through the carefully selected physical activities, an individual who participates actively will develop and maintain good health and a high level of fitness. The acquisition of physical skills can motivate an individual to participate further, in physical activities hence his growth and development will be enhanced.

13. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT  Participation in the physical education activities provides opportunities for the development of desirable social traits needed, for adjustment to the social life in general.  Some worthwhile traits are: Friendliness, cooperation, respect for the rights of others, good sportsmanship, honesty in group competition.

14. EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT  The informal nature of physical education activity offers opportunities for self-expression and emotional mastery.  Examples of traits are: self confidence, self control, self- reliance, courage, determination

15. MENTAL DEVELOPMENT  Through participation in physical education activities the individual develops his mental capacities:  as he learns the mechanical principles underlying movement, as he acquires knowledge and understanding of rules and strategies of games and sports, and as he discovers ways of improving his movements in areas like gymnastics and dance.

16.  BY IT’S VERY NATURE, PHYSICAL EDUCATION’S CHIEF CONTRIBUTION TO THE EDUCATION OF AN INDIVIDUAL IS IN THE AREA OF THE PHYSICAL.  PHYSICAL FITNESS means the ability to carry one’s work load without staggering, to participate in recreations with ease and enjoyment and to have a reservoir of endurance to meet the emergencies of life.

17. MOTOR SKILLS:  In order to enjoy any pursuit, a person must achieve a certain amount of proficiency in it.  The learning of skills are necessary for participation in all sports.

18. KNOWLEDGE:  At first glance, it may seem that there is little mental content in physical education. One must learn the rules before he can learn to play a game successfully.

19. SOCIAL:  The newer emphasis in education has been in the direction of improving the ability of students to get along together. Educators call it socialization of the individual e.g. attitudes or habits of loyalty etc.

20.  In physical education, the aesthetic objectives may be confined to three general areas. 1.Appreciation of exercise and its’ aesthetic effect on the body. 2.Appreciation of sports. 3.Appreciation of the wise use of leisure.

21.  Improved circulation  Improved respiration  Improved digestion  Improved elimination  Improved body structure  Increased production of red blood cells in the bone marrow  Reduction of neuro-muscular tension

22.  Exercise is relaxing to the mind.  It improves the mental tone of an individual.  It assists in maintaining mental health.  Permits release of pent-up emotions through socially approved channels.

23. The overall goals of physical education are:  To help each child grow in emotional security.  To provide daily situations in which each child can enjoy feelings of success or achievement in terms of his own potential or in group goals.  To provide the facilities and relationships which foster the physical security and health of each child.

24.  To encourage good use of leisure.  To provide experiences rich in opportunities for the development of moral values.  Through good instruction in physical education, selfish “I” drives, so strongly marked in many young children, can gradually be rechanneled to reach the deeper “We” drives.

25.  Physical Education therefore helps to develop an individual to his highest potential as a democratic citizen.  This means that the result of growth and development of children, through properly directed physical activities, should produce THE TOTAL CHILD; mentally, socially, emotionally and physically – all are closely related.