Physical Education - Is it just Play and Fun?

Do you have a favourite teacher in school? Is it the cute Science teacher? Or is it the awesome English teacher who awe you with wonderful words that you can use with your friends? As for me, it would be my Physical Education teacher. He is one of my inspirator that made me choose to become one. This article is not about the teachers but it’s more towards subject Physical Education (PE).

Some of you out there might have a wonderful time (please share your stories in the comments section) during PE time while some might not enjoy the class. I recalled that I will groan when my other teachers cancel the class. As an experienced PE teacher, I would like to share some important aspects that a child will gain during a PE lesson.

PE is educating a child through the physical means. It would mean that the teacher is developing the child’s fine and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills are skills when children learn to use their smaller muscles such as their fingers, hands and wrists. Children use use their fine motor skills when writing, holding small items (example pencil, paper clips and mug), buttoning clothing, turning pages, eating, cutting with scissors, and using computer keyboards.Gross motor skills are abilities that involve large muscles of the arms, legs and torso. It also includes endurance, balance, coordination and postural control.

Every child is unique in their development. It is unwise to use the same method for the first born child and replicate it for his or her brother or sister. Similarly in a PE class, I will use different approaches in educating the child. In all activities, the element of fun and curiosity would be a good mix to bring out the best in the child. Research has shown that being able to intervene with children with poor fine and gross motor skills including movements whilst supporting them to improve will have enormous benefits to their health, well-being, social skills and academic results too.

Here are my FIVE favourite fine motor skills that I would encourage you to demonstrate and do with your child.

1. Pushing and flicking of coin using the finger.

a. Place a coin on a flat table. Place finger on the coin. Push it forward away from you and pull it back to you. Explore all different movements.

b. Flick the coin using two fingers. Explore with the child on the various power they use when flicking the coin.

2. Shaping a plasticine (commonly known as Playdoh or clay).

Start with a simple shape like a sphere then work your way to more complex shapes. Look at this website for example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oka-sK7rqvg

3. Buttoning

This skill is important, isn’t it? Start off with your favourite shirt. Look at this website for example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3r83uYIN74. Progress through with lacing, pasting, using velcro and tying.

4. Stacking using wooden blocks

Start with stacking the blocks horizontally. Move on with using three small wooden blocks making a small pyramid. Arouse the child’s curiosity and simple problem solving with giving them 4 and move on to finally 6 wooden blocks.

5. Sorting coloured paper clips

Place 4 different coloured paper clips into a bowl each. Mixed the rest of the coloured paper clips. Demonstrate to the child to sort the paper clips according to the colour. For further challenges, use the paper clips to make a necklace. Look at this website for example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCYMpLFjISE

We shall now move on to ways to support your child gross motor skills. A gentle reminder is that these are children and their muscles as well as coordination might not be fully developed (that is why you are reading this article, so you help them),

1. Walking and running in a straight line

This activity may sound simple but it takes focus on a child to walk in a straight line. Look at this website for example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wOVBxv5Vws. You can also use their favourite toy as a point of source so that the child will walk in a straight line. Just a gentle reminder, it will be a good help if the child can walk on a sandy area as this will gentle on their knees. Once the child is confident enough, he or she can start to run slowly along the same path. Please allow them to fall and if they do fall, do not rush to them but allow them to experience the fall.

2. Bouncing and catching a ball

The activity teaches the child’s hand eye coordination and confidence. From a simple, letting the ball go using two hands and catching it, the child can progress using only one hand. Look at this website for example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D97pI1oD7XM&list=PLdG3untnK3p3iEDz3G5J2BgsQ6RgsSpyb&index=2

3. Rolling and catching a ball

Look at this website for example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUk4SV7l-d0. The girl on the left is showing on ways to roll to someone. Take note when rolling the ball is on the floor most of the time. Start off with using two hands and progress using only hand. Progress rolling to different directions.

4. Jumping in various directions

The child does not know on ways to jump. It is important you demonstrate the jumping motion. Jumping is different from hopping. A kangaroo hops and not jumps. A frog jumps and not hops.

5. Balancing the body.

A simple balancing activity would be just standing using their legs. Stand for few seconds, then move on using only one leg. Balance with one leg with arms by the side. Balance with two legs and one arm.

As you can see, PE is actually developing your child. The fun element would come in the curiosity that you will want to discover their limits and potential. It is important for them to develop the skills I had mentioned. Instead of just spending a lazy Sunday morning, my suggestion would be LET the KIDS MOVE TOGETHER with YOU.

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