ROLE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN DEVELOPMENT OF A CHILD

EDUCATION
Education is a structured process through which individuals acquire knowledge, skills, values, and
attitudes that help them contribute to society and improve their personal lives. It is essential for
both individual growth and societal development, playing a crucial role in shaping individuals'
understanding of the world.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education (PE) is an educational discipline focused on the development of physical fitness,
motor skills, and knowledge about physical activity, health, and overall well-being. It is an essential
part of the school curriculum, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging students to
engage in regular physical activity.

Research has shown that there is a positive correlation between brain development and exercising.

Studies have shown that physical activity enhances muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular
endurance, and provides many other physical benefits. It also provides psychological benefits such
as improving general mental health, concentration, awareness and positive mood.

Physical education, an integral part of the total education process, is a field of endeavour that has as
its aim the improvement of human performance through the medium of physical activity that have
been selected with a view to realizing this outcome. Physical education is the accumulation of
wholesome experiences through participation in large muscle activities that promote optimum
growth and development. Physical education is an education imparted through physical activities for
the development of the total personality of the child, to its fullness and perfection in body, mind and
spirit. Immediately, it is concerned with the development of physical fitness. In striving for such
fitness, however, physical education has to train the child’s mental, moral and social qualities,
arouse its awareness of environment and develop alertness, presence of mind, resourcefulness,
discipline, co-operation and the spirit of respect, sympathy and generosity towards others qualities
that are essential for a happy and well-adjusted life in a free and democratic world. Physical
education can thus, make a very valuable contribution to our life.

Physical Education and Physical Activity

Physical education and physical activity both contribute to the development of healthy and active
children. Physical activity is part of physical education.

Physical education is about educating a child holistically through physical activity. Therefore
physical activity forms a part of physical education. Physical education talks about development of a
child physically, emotionally, socially and mentally. The knowledge and the skills learnt here can
assist a person to lead a happy, balanced, active and healthy lifestyle. Due to its core role in the
holistic development of a child, it is a compulsory subject in all school education.
Physical activity is bodily movement of any type and may include recreational, fitness, and sport
activities. In fact, physical activity is almost anything that involves the muscular and skeletal systems.
Physical activity should be part of a physical education class, but it can also be incorporated into
other academic subject areas, including recess, and before and after school physical activity
programs

It is not enough to be just physically active; participants need to realize the benefits, skill techniques,
training principles, and values of a physically active lifestyle. Based on a sequence of learning,
physical education should not be compared to or confused with other physical activity experiences
such as recess, intramurals, marathon running, marching band, hiking, camping and other
recreational activities. It is much more than that.

Benefits/Importance of PE and PA

1. Physical Health

 Improved Fitness: Engaging in physical activities helps in building cardiovascular

endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and overall fitness.
 Weight Management: Regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy body
weight, reducing the risk of obesity.
 Prevention of Diseases: Exercise helps lower the risk of chronic conditions such as
heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and certain types of cancer.
 Bone and Muscle Strength: Physical activities such as running, jumping, and
weight-bearing exercises enhance bone density and muscle strength, essential for
long-term health.
 Improved Immune System: Regular physical activity boosts the immune system,
making the body more resilient to illnesses.

2. Mental Health

 Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Physical activity releases endorphins, the body’s
natural stress relievers, helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
 Improved Mood: Exercise leads to better emotional well-being, providing an outlet
for releasing built-up tension and improving overall mood.
 Enhanced Cognitive Function: Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain,
improving memory, focus, and problem-solving skills. This, in turn, leads to better
academic or work performance.
 Better Sleep: Regular physical activity improves sleep quality, helping individuals
feel more rested and energetic during the day.

3. Social Benefits

 Teamwork and Cooperation: Participating in sports and group activities teaches

students to work together, communicate effectively, and support one another.
 Leadership Skills: Engaging in organized physical activities helps students develop
leadership qualities by taking initiative, guiding others, and making decisions.
  Building Friendships: Physical education offers a platform for social interaction,
fostering camaraderie and long-lasting friendships through shared activities.
 Increased Self-esteem and Confidence: Mastering new physical skills boosts self-
confidence, making individuals feel more accomplished and capable.

4. Mental and Emotional Resilience

 Improved Self-discipline: Physical education instills discipline by requiring regular

practice and adherence to rules, which can be applied to other areas of life.
 Stress Relief: Exercise serves as an outlet for frustration and stress, leading to
improved emotional regulation and resilience.
 Better Emotional Balance: Regular physical activity contributes to emotional well-
being by providing a constructive way to cope with negative feelings or anxiety.

5. Academic and Cognitive Benefits

 Enhanced Focus and Concentration: Studies show that students who participate in
regular physical activity tend to have better focus and attention in the classroom.
 Improved Memory and Learning: Physical activity stimulates brain function,
improving memory retention and learning capabilities.
 Better Classroom Behavior: Physical activity helps improve students' behavior by
reducing restlessness, hyperactivity, and enhancing discipline and concentration.

6. Lifelong Healthy Habits

 Foundation for an Active Lifestyle: Early exposure to physical education promotes

lifelong habits of regular physical activity, reducing sedentary behavior in adulthood.
 Understanding Health and Fitness: PE educates students about the importance of
maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle through exercise and proper nutrition.

7. Prevention of Health Issues

 Reduced Risk of Obesity: Regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight
and reduces the risk of childhood and adult obesity.
 Better Posture and Flexibility: Physical exercises promote good posture, prevent
back pain, and maintain joint health and flexibility.
 Healthy Heart: Engaging in cardiovascular exercises like running, cycling, or
swimming strengthens the heart and improves overall cardiovascular health.

8. Motor Skills Development

 Improved Coordination and Balance: Physical education helps develop fine and
gross motor skills, improving balance, coordination, and agility.
 Reflex and Reaction Time: Engaging in physical activities helps improve reflexes
and the ability to respond quickly in various situations.
 Body Awareness: Physical activity enhances body awareness and spatial orientation,
helping individuals understand and control their physical movements better.
Domains for Early Childhood Development
Early Childhood Development (ECD) encompasses the holistic growth of children from birth to
around eight years of age. During this period, children undergo rapid development across several
key domains, each of which plays a vital role in shaping their cognitive, pgychomotor, and social
skills.

1.Cognitive Domain

It includes knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, syntheses and evaluation, which are
responsible for the development of intellectual ability and skill. Each one of them are explained in
the table below with example. This objective is concerned with increasing the knowledge, improving
problem solving abilities, clarifying understandings, and developing and identifying concepts. As
intellectual, physical and emotional developments are closely related, the physical education
programs contribute to cognitive development by providing knowledge in the areas and modifying
behaviour in regard to good health practices.

2. Physical Domain

A good deal of physical activities helps the individuals to develop certain skill. This Physical Domain,
also known as Psychomotor Domain, concerns with development and improvement of motor skills.
Psychomotor learning is the heart of physical educational experience and results in the achievement
of general motor ability as well as selective skills in various activities. This objective is concerned with
developing body awareness and making physical movement efficient, graceful, aesthetic, and useful,
with as little expenditure of energy as possible. It also deals with development of body control,
coordination, agility, balance, sense of direction and vigour through physical activities.

It includes motor skills.

Motor skills refer to the abilities required to control the body's muscles to perform specific physical
tasks. These skills are learned through practice and repetition and are crucial for everyday tasks,
sports, and other physical activities. Motor skills can be broadly categorized into two types: Gross
Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills.

Gross Motor Skills

Definition: Gross motor skills involve the use of large muscle groups to perform broader, more
general movements. These skills are essential for activities that require strength, coordination, and
overall body control. Examples:

 Walking, running, and jumping.

 Throwing and catching a ball.
 Climbing stairs or ladders.
 Swimming.
 Riding a bicycle.
Fine Motor Skills

Definition: Fine motor skills involve the use of smaller muscles, particularly in the hands and fingers,
to perform precise, detailed movements. These skills require coordination and control. Examples:

 Writing or drawing.
 Buttoning a shirt or tying shoelaces.
 Using scissors.
 Typing on a keyboard.
 Manipulating small objects, like picking up beads or using a fork.

3.Social Domain/affective domain:

It is a well-accepted fact that our feelings, emotions, thoughts and achievements are influenced to a
considerable extent by the physiological and mental process of the body. This domain, also known as
Affective Doman, is primarily concerned with helping individual to clarify and think through their
values, interests, appreciations, attitudes, and judgements. It helps in developing proper and positive
attitudes and appreciations towards physical education and physical activity. It lays stress on the
individual’s values system, philosophy and adjustment patterns that are basic to maturity. It helps
the individual to move from social and emotional immaturity to maturity. Physical education is
based on sound psychological principles. It develops amongst the individuals wholesome attitudes
towards play and physical activities and cultivates recreational and hobbies. Physical education also
helps in promoting physical fitness by aiding in the process of social and emotional development
which leads to a more positive self-concept. Physical education thus promotes the spirit of certain
qualities like sportsmanship, team spirit, leadership, patience, selfrestrain, cooperation, etc

Physical fitness
Physical fitness refers to the ability of an individual to perform daily activities efficiently and with
enough energy to handle potential emergencies. It is generally divided into two main categories:
health-related fitness and skill-related fitness.

1. Health-Related Physical Fitness

These components focus on improving overall health, preventing diseases, and promoting a
higher quality of life. They are crucial for maintaining general physical health and well-
being. It include;

Cardiovascular Endurance

Muscular Strength

Muscular Endurance

Flexibility

Body Composition
2. Skill-Related Physical Fitness

These components are often associated with athletic performance and are important for those
participating in sports or activities requiring precision, speed, and agility. It include;

Agility

Balance

Coordination

Speed

Power

Reaction Time

Factors affecting physical fitness

1. Age: Age is a chief factor which influences physical fitness. Physical fitness is measured
by assessing physiological and physical performance. These physiological and physical
performances vary according to age. These variations are depending on growth and
development of muscles, bones, nervous system and other internal organs. As we age our
physical size increases along with our functional and performance capacity.

2. Body composition: Body composition refers to the percentage of body weight that is
composed of fat as compared with fat free or lean tissue (muscles). Body composition can be
explained by somatotyping. Somatotyping is a technique to divide people into three different
types based on body shape and physique type. These types are known as ü Endomorph ü
Mesomorph ü Ectomorph Each body types mentioned above has its own advantages and
disadvantages in achieving desired amount of physical fitness. For example, ectomorph is a
lean and thin body frame. It is unrealistic for an ectomorph to achieve the same amount of
muscular strength as an endomorph.

3. Nutrition: Physical fitness is highly affected by the energy input and output balance. The
energy input is in the form of food intake the quantity as well as the quality of food and
output is in the form of physical exercise. An important element of this nutrient intake is
water. The diet requirement varies based on body type and nature of activity. A person should
consume optimum nutrition based on his activity level and fitness goal.

4. Climatic conditions: Different climatic conditions affect the fitness level of an individual
in many ways. Food pattern and activity level defers according to the season of the year. This
phenomenon has a direct impact on the fitness level of an individual. Apart from that
different geographical locations have different climatic conditions. This has significance in
the food habits and physical activity patterns of people living in those locations. Different
climatic conditions require different training requirements to develop and maintain physical
fitness.
5. Lifestyle habits: These play a very important role in the fitness and wellbeing of a person.
Starting with desk jobs, city life, lack of walking options, airconditioned home and offices,
smoking and drinking habits, eating outside food etc

6. Degree of Physical Activity: As discussed, lack of physical activity is one of the most
important factors affecting physical fitness. Physical activity is critical for overall health at
every age. Any form of exercise or movement of our body that uses energy is described as a
physical activity. Regular physical activity includes participation in moderate and vigorous
exercises and muscle strengthening activities.

7. Environmental Factors : Depends on the availability of playgrounds,parks, eqipments

etc.

8. Personal factors

Planning Physical Activity

Planning can be defined as “thinking in advance what is to be done, when it is to be done,
how it is to be done and by whom it should be done”. In simple words we can say, planning
bridges the gap between where we are standing today and where we want to reach. Planning
involves setting objectives and deciding in advance the appropriate course of action to
achieve these objectives. We can also define planning as setting up of objectives and targets
and formulating an action to achieve them. This is called as Macro Planning, as this involves
and overview of the entire year. There are mostly two types of plan:

1. Long-Term Plan – Macro Plan

2. Short Term Plan – Micro Plan

Importance of Planning

1. Planning provides direction: Planning provides the direction to the efforts that you need to make.
Planning makes clear what you have to do, how to do, etc. By stating in advance how work has to be
done, planning provides direction for action. Employees know in advance in which direction they
have to work. Everyone on a project is clear and works towards the same goals. If there is no
planning, employees would work in different directions and organisation would not be able to
achieve its desired goal or objectives.

2. Planning reduces the risk of uncertainties: Organizations have to face many uncertainties and
unexpected situations every day. Planning helps to face the uncertainty. The plans are made to
overcome such uncertainties.

3. Planning reduces overlapping and wasteful activities: The organizational plans are made keeping
in mind the requirements of all the departments. The departmental plans are derived from main
organizational plan. As a result there will be co-ordination in different departments. Plans ensure
clarity of thoughts and action and work can be carried out smoothly.
4. Planning promotes innovative ideas: The process of planning requires people to sit together,
brainstorm, reflect, discuss, debate and agree. Therefore, there is a scope of finding better ideas,
better methods and procedures to perform a particular job. Planning process forces you to think
differently and assume the future conditions. So, it makes you innovative and creative.

5. Planning facilitates decision making: Planning helps you to take various decisions, as goals are set
in advance and predictions are made for future. These predictions and goals helps you to take fast
decisions.

6. Focuses attention on objectives of the organization: Planning function begins with the setting up
of the goals, aims and objectives. When you follow the plan properly, it leads to achievement of
objectives. Through planning, efforts of all the employees are directed towards the achievement of
organizational goals and objectives. As a Physical Education Teacher, planning is vital to your job in
school. Planning should start for the whole year, then come down to semesters, months, weeks and
days. Long term planning is very important to set the right targets and expectations and measure
success against such targets.

Elements of a good plan are the following:

1. Aims/ Goals/ Objectives of the School for Physical Education and Sports

2. Management and Communication Structure.

3. Infrastructure and Resources.

4. Scheduling

5. Intermediate Milestones /Dependencies

6. Tracking of the Plan

Lesson Plan for Physical Activities

A lesson plan is a teacher's/coaches’ detailed description of the course of instruction for one class. A
daily lesson plan is developed to guide class instruction, keep outcomes progressive and track
syllabus coverage. It helps teachers/ coaches to plan the activity and to get the best desired
outcome in the given time. Details will vary depending on the preference of the teacher,
skills/subject being covered, and the need of students. A physical education class lesson plan should
contain the following:

• Aim of the lesson

• Props and Equipment required to conduct the lesson

• Warm up activity

• Skill teaching activity

• Game play to implement the skill learnt

• Cool down session

Conduct Physical Activities

Arranging Play Spaces

Identifying and arranging playground or play space are an integral part of the play experience. All
play spaces are to be designated, marked, and allocated as per the requirement of the activity or
sport. A well-marked play space is attractive and motivates people to participate. Marking a sports
field or play space requires marking equipment. This equipment allows the markers to mark the
sports field, play space in a correct and efficient manner. There are mostly two types of allocation
and markings done for play activities:

1. Temporary play space

2. Permanent play space For each of the above-mentioned play space, the equipment, tools required
varies depending on the type of the play activities to be conducted.

For example, a temporary play space can easily be created with the help of mobile marking props
and equipment. Some of them include; • Marking cones • Saucer cones • Flexi-poles • Flags • Poly
spot • Rubber tape • Flat rings

The following tools and equipment are mostly used to mark a permanent play space/ sports field;

• Nails or pegs • Rope (100 meter) – it is advised to use iron ropes because they are not stretchable,
if iron ropes are not available markers may use plastic ropes. • Hammer to fix the pegs • Measuring
tape • Chalk powder – it is an essential supply to mark a sports field.

Note that, in all the play activity/ games, there should be enough space between the play area and
the spectator area

Arranging Props and Equipment for Play

Props are the tools/learning aides that we use in physical activity to

1. Mark play spaces

2. To learn and practice skills

3. To improve fitness

Equipment is all the material associated with the sport which is needed to play a sport. Other than
the above primary usage of props they are also useful in;

1. Making any physical activity colourful and attractive

2. Helping create a variety of drills for practicing skills

3. Helping create age appropriate challenges

4. Increasing the interest and the engagement of the children