Wouldn’t it feel good to get up on days you have physical education, and be excited about doing something you enjoy partaking in? No? Just me?
Physical education today offers only one option, but this does not meet the needs of all students. So, there needs to be more physical education options offered.
Why Gym Shouldn’t Be the Only Type of Physical Education Given
Many people may have trouble with physical education or just not be interested in the gym, but others may be exceptionally good at team sports. The fact that physical education is required can be upsetting for some people. This could also frequently lead to a lack of confidence in their skills and a negative attitude toward physical activity. This has been a problem with me for a long time. Being a student who has problems with physical education but thrives in other physical aspects, I can truly understand that this could be a hard class.
Class averages in our gym class have shown that lots of grades declined due to students not feeling comfortable or just not being able to participate in gym. Other activities can definitely be provided, especially when you have a student who physically can’t participate in class.For example, a student with physical disability who can’t participate in gym shouldn’t have to sit there and watch all classmates partake in their physical education for the day. This may make the student feel less than or unworthy of partaking in some type of physical education.
What May Others Think?
While administrators may think “Jada, this is extra funding that we don’t have or we would have to come up with, as well as space we are not able to get”, are we trying to come up with excuses or trying to make ways that your students feel comfortable in their school?. As a student who thrives in different forms of physical education, I believe that different physical education should be given, and I know lots of others would agree.
A Call To Action
Expanding the types of physical education offered in schools is not just about variety, but it’s about giving all students a chance to succeed in a physical education that they thrive in. With that being said, additional options like dancing, yoga, or weight lifting can make physical education more fun and inclusive due to everyone having different interests and strengths. With more offers for physical education, it would let students be more athletic in their field of interest while helping their grades, as well as gaining healthy traits.
