The curriculum of any country cannot stand still. It needs to react and respond to the needs of its ever-changing, developing society. So, what should be included in a 21st Century curriculum? Is there a place for subjects like physical education in a curriculum so dominated by academic excellence? What is it that is unique to the study of physical education that should secure its place alongside the more traditional, core subjects of the curriculum?

Take a look at young children. How do they learn? What is it that helps them to explore their environments and become confident to move, express themselves and perform day to day tasks? Physical development is inextricably linked to development in the cognitive, social and emotional domains and should not be overlooked if children are to become the rounded individuals a 21st Century global society requires.

Through physical education children learn to become physically competent to carry out a range of motor tasks. These include the very important skills associated with movement coordination and hand-eye coordination and are as fundamental to a child’s learning as learning to read and write.

But a high quality physical education programme can do much more than this. It can help children develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to take part, with confidence, in a wide range of physical activities. It is through engagement in different physical activities that  children come to appreciate the enjoyment of activity for its own sake whether undertaken individually or with others. A desire to be involved in activity for its own sake is only likely to come about if children have sufficient time to become competent and confident to join in with the games, sports and activities of their choosing. Therefore one of the overall outcomes of a sound physical education programme is children’s ability to make truly informed choices about their participation in lifelong physical activity as part of a balanced,  healthy lifestyle. It is this understanding and engagement that will benefit individuals in the future as they try to balance working lifestyles with healthy living.

Finally the study of physical education can provide the necessary skills for some students to pursue wide ranging careers in sports not just as participators but also as coaches, trainers, officials and choreographers as well as within the growing industry of fitness and health. As the nation becomes more conscious of the need to keep fit and healthy then such professional positions are likely to become more readily available and more important as genuine career options. If children who enjoy and excel at mathematics are given the chance to pursue their dreams and aspirations by studying it to a high level, should those who enjoy and excel at sports, in all its varieties and forms, not also be given the knowledge, skills, understanding and help to realise their dreams and ambitions?

For more information on International Inspirations please contact Mona Shipley.