Key Ingredients for a Winning PE Program
Physical education in the United States has changed a lot over the years as new information about health, fitness, and nutrition becomes available. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started a new initiative called Coordinated School Health (CSH). It’s designed to take a more comprehensive approach to teaching physical education and add more health and nutrition services to PE programs across the country. As we continue to improve our understanding of nutrition and physical health, there are some key elements that every physical education program needs to succeed.
A Good Curriculum
Just like subjects such as English, math, or science, a good curriculum is crucial for success in physical education. The PE curriculum should be well-rounded, including activities from various sports, as well as disciplines like dance and gymnastics. It should also incorporate nutritional education, giving students a solid understanding of what a healthy lifestyle looks like.
Proper Supplies and Equipment
Depending on the design of the physical education curriculum, different types of supplies and equipment will be needed. These can range from simple items like balls and cones to more advanced tools such as pedometers and electronic body mass index devices. Whatever the equipment, it must be in good working order to ensure that students benefit from it. Using old or broken equipment can not only limit the effectiveness of physical education but also pose safety risks.
Qualified Instructors
In the past, schools might have hired an athletic coach or someone simply interested in fitness to run their physical education programs. Today, however, PE instructors usually have specialized degrees in health and wellness, exercise physiology, kinesiology, and physical education. Enthusiastic and well-trained teachers are essential to motivating students, and this is especially true for PE.
Support from Faculty, Staff, and Parents
When schools face budget cuts, physical education is often one of the first areas to be reduced or eliminated. Despite the serious issue of childhood obesity in the U.S., financial challenges often take precedence over proper fitness and nutritional education. For PE teachers, this can be very frustrating. A successful PE program needs the full support of school administration and students’ parents. It’s important to remember that the benefits of physical education should extend beyond school walls and into students’ homes to be truly effective.
