Sport and Physical Education are strongly interlinked. Both involve the active engagement of a person or persons with sport and physical activity, whether it is a team sport, a school sport, or a recreational activity. Both engage the development of social skills, good communication skills, leadership skills, self-confidence, and athletic abilities. And both can be a source of great pleasure and achievement for the participants.
The physical education concept of sport is the central premise upon which all educational efforts in the United States have been based. This idea has become much more than a simple belief held by educators and school administrators in recent years. It has grown to encompass all aspects of teaching and learning, from K-12 through higher education. In fact, it is being viewed as an important and necessary part of our society, even as more people are realizing the importance of exercise to their physical health and their mental well-being. Sport activities can provide positive lessons that extend beyond physical education, such as compassion, patience, and motivation.
A major component of sport and physical education curriculum includes the study of sport and activities. The history and development of sport provides insights into how human beings interact with each other and why they pursue certain sport activities and avoid others. The study of sport teaches students about courage and the ability to overcome obstacles. It also teaches about equal opportunity and responsibility, as well as about the enjoyment derived from participating in a particular sport or activity.
For parents and other adults who are responsible for the education of their children, sport and physical education curriculum provides important lessons regarding health, safety, and happiness. These lessons are relevant in many aspects of life and can help direct young people in making healthy decisions regarding smoking, drinking, and drugs. They can also help encourage participants to make healthy choices regarding diet and physical activity. By participating in sports and other physical activities, participants can develop and enhance their social skills, develop good communication skills, and enhance their sense of self-confidence.
Another important component of sport and physical education curriculum teaches students about disabilities, including physical disabilities that may occur as a result of accidents or illness. In addition, students learn about the mental benefits that can be gained through participation in sport and physical activities, including increased attention to safety and proper body mechanics. In essence, sport and physical education helps improve a student’s potential to achieve his or her fullest potential as an individual. As such, the curriculums of schools, day care centers, and other organizations that provide sport and physical education services are effective ways of promoting healthy lifestyles and habits.
Aside from promoting physical education, sport and physical education curriculum also teach students about the importance of teamwork. These lessons are important for those individuals who may be at risk for abuse and violence. The curriculum trains students to work as a team and interact as a unit instead of feeling apart from the rest. For instance, team members should be taught how to work as a unit to solve problems, rather than trying to solve their own problems. These lessons instill in students the value of working together as a group to achieve set goals.