We all recall our weekly PE lessons at school. They are a compulsory part of the curriculum and essential for teaching children about health and wellness. Aside from the obvious, there are many great benefits of hosting sports lessons at school. It helps children to build strength (or gross motor skills as they are called), life skills such as team working and improve their mental health. Below are more interesting facts from a sports college.
Physical Health
According to the NHS, children between the ages of 5 and 18 should be engaging in at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise a day. Parents don’t always have time to take their children out and do physical activities and the sports covered in PE like football, basketball and badminton all fall under this category, helping them to keep fit.
Mental Health
We all encounter stress from time to time and some are more prone to experiencing it than others. Having an outlet of some form whether that be a physical sport or something expressive like art can help to channel those emotions and do something productive. Research also shows that the brain releases chemicals known as “endorphins” and they help the body to feel less anxious and relax.
Team Working
Whether at school, work or just with friends, your child will need to be able to work and interact with others. The majority of sports that they will learn and practice involve group work which gives them the opportunity to get used to team dynamics and how to work towards goals together.
Resilience
Some would say that we’re losing the value of hard work. Sports is an area that has no shortcuts. To get better and improve, you must practice and put yourself out there. There’s the obvious risk of failure and a need to get back up which helps children in becoming resilient.
What are your thoughts on sports in schools?
*Collaborative post