Child Development through Physical Education (Essay Sample)

 Child Development through Physical Education Hunter Fann Tennessee Tech University List-4995-502 Professor Mike Sutton November 4, 2024   Introduction Beyond its recommendation to enhance heart health, physical education (PE) significantly contributes to children's development by fostering their social and emotional well-being. In a time when physical activity is scarce and children spend more time in front of computers or televisions, Physical Education (PE) provides a structured program of activities that encourages kids to engage in proper physical exercise, enhancing their stamina and social skills. Through PE, students develop hand-eye coordination, get to exercise the cardiovascular and muscular systems, and learn healthy lifestyles from childhood. Furthermore, physical education (PE) prompts children to address interpersonal issues by observing their peers, adhering to rules, and taking responsibility for assigned tasks, thereby fostering the development of interpersonal skills that they can potentially utilize both within and beyond the classroom. On the other hand, the content and the positive purposes of delivering and achieving physical education (PE) differ significantly in the multiple settings of education. Generally, certified teachers provide organized instruction in an outlined PE class as part of mainstream schooling to enhance the students' physiological, social, and emotional development. On the other hand, homeschooling is flexible when it comes to providing physical education with a major focus on enjoyable activities for children. Homeschooling can function as a school, offering a higher level of input and interaction compared to the traditional classroom setting. Such differences influence children's learning and participation in Physical Education classes, as well as how they acquire the necessary fitness, interactions, and skills. In addition to the curricula of thousands of classrooms and schools, physical education (PE) offers direct and structured models of movement activities that not only enhance motor balance and cardiovascular durability but also promote healthy living standards in a society increasingly dominated by couch potatoes. Additionally, it improves various academic skills like listening, memorization, and problem solving while also fostering social skills like group collaboration, sharing, and stress management. Therefore, the referred PE treatments differ in relation to type of schools; where regular public schools have scheduled PE classes, homeschooling is flexible. This essay assesses the physical, cognitive, social, and personal benefits of PE, draws a comparison between PE in public schools and homeschools, and ultimately advocates for equal access to quality PE for all children. The mental health benefits of physical education in children Physical education (PE) goes beyond merely promoting physical fitness in children; rather, it serves as a crucial tool in enhancing their mental health. Nonetheless, it occupies a special niche in combating anxiety, raising self-esteem, and creating psychological armor. Consequently, this section focuses on the psychological advantages of PE and the organizational issues related to the provision of exercise in schools, as validated in the literature. This section looks at the positive effects of PE on psychological well-being as well as the issues that limit its accessibility and success within learning establishments. Physical Activity and Mental Health Andermo et al. (2020) confirmed a strong correlation between physical activity and a reduction in anxiety and depression in children. According to the systematic review, children who are actively involved in program-provided physical activities like the physical education classes or sports have fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression than those children who are often involved in sedentary activities or watch television. Exercise has the physiological impact of lowering the endorphin level and minimizing the cortisol level in the body, which averts stress. Nevertheless, Andermo et al. (2020) state that the benefits are contingent on moderate to vigorous physical activities in PE and stress that PE needs school attention to obtain these mental health benefits. In a similar vein, Reed (2021) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests that children should engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate exercise daily to maintain what he refers to as the mental health minimum. According to Reed’s (2021) research findings, physical exercises are crucial in preventing the development of certain mental health conditions, making PE an advocate for emotional health. Conversely, as Reed (2021) pointed out, the implementation of physical exercise poses a challenge, as most schools lack the financial means and time to offer well-structured, frequent PE sessions. The study concludes that policy developments are necessary to ensure appropriate investments of time and resources in education, thereby delivering these health gains efficiently. PE enhances Self-esteem and Social support In the article by Cronin et al. (2020), the authors consider the function of PE in enhancing the developmental life skills that include self-esteem, teamwork, and interpersonal communication. Well-structured, achievement-oriented PE activities help children develop their self-esteem. For instance, when children consistently achieve small goals in PE, like learning a new skill, it boosts their confidence in other areas such as academic success and social environments. Cronin et al. (2020) have demonstrated the health benefits of curricula that prioritize self-improvement over competition, as they alleviate the stress of less sports-inclined students. Another important component of PE is social support. According to González-Serrano et al. (2022), participating in team-based activities in PE helps children regain their social life and feel connected, as it reduces isolation. Teamwork assists children to have friends through group work, hence increasing social competence, which most children lack in other school settings. González-Serrano et al. (2022) highlighted that a supportive, inclusive PE context serves as the foundation for these values. However, the results indicated that in competitive or exclusionary environments, children might experience increased pressure instead of decreased pressure, indicating the importance of fostering an inclusive environment within the PE program. PE’s Role in Emotional and Behavioral Regulation Another significant advantage of PE is that it fosters the development of the ability to regulate feelings and moods. In a study by Pesce et al. (2021), the authors establish that increased engagement in PE improves children’s emotion regulation, the power to avoid anger, and section aptitude. Another benefit of developing self-regulation skills through PE is the structured learning environment, which enforces rules and requires the child to interact and collaborate with peers. Pesce et al. (2021) highlight that these skills transfer to other aspects of their lives, enabling them to deal with stress in the school or social domain.Jiang et al. (2021) have linked attention and impulse control to additional benefits in attention and impulse control. According to their studies on training that is sport-specific, children who engage in PE on a regular basis have been known to have better executive functioning, particularly with regard to social and academic operations. However, Rudd et al. (2021) contend that the greatest positive effects occur when students participate in frequent, intense PE classes, and they suggest that occasional or low-intensity PE may not have the same positive impact on learners' mental health. Structural Barriers to Effective PE  However, this fact raises structural issues that constrain the effectiveness of physical education (PE) in schools. Andermo et al. (2020) and Reed (2021) highlight that underfunded schools frequently decrease the amount of time dedicated to PE, or the quality of lessons, in order to meet academic achievement. This approach is counterproductive when it comes to providing mental health through physical activity. Such restrictions reduce the possibility for many students to achieve all the psychological benefits linked to scheduled programs involving exercise (Society for Research in Child Development, n.d.). Policy changes are necessary to ensure adequate funding for PE and to achieve parity between PE and academics, particularly in the areas with the least funding. Focusing on access to physical education, Notaro (2012) highlights that children from more affluent families participate in sport activities through extracurricular sport clubs, whereas children from less privileged backgrounds rely on school-based programs. This gap means that inclusive, high-quality PE programs within schools are the solution to reducing the mental health difference between those who can and cannot access physical activity. The literature shows the positive impact of physical education for children’s mental health as it reduces anxiety and depression, increases self-esteem, and helps control their emotions. However, barriers, including disparities in PE resources and socio-economic differences, reduce the chances of such gains. Cognitive Development This section aims to explore the cognitive advantages of physical education for children while also reviewing recent studies that critically analyze how PE affects various aspects of cognition, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. These cognitive changes are critical. These changes are crucial for education, executive functioning, and impulse control. However, the quality of the PE program and its accessibility across various educational settings are crucial. PE plays a crucial role in improving cognitive skills Gym classes play a crucial role in the me...