Educating children about the importance of physical activity and encouraging participation is absolutely crucial, as it helps to develop healthy habits that can be kept throughout a lifetime.
We all know and understand the physical benefits of exercise; however, this year’s Youth Sports Trust National School Sports Week 2024 also focuses on empowering young people and the all-around positive impacts PE has on wellbeing. The Youth Sport Trust theme for 2024 is to engage children in 60 minutes of physical activity #PlayForFunPlayFor60
Here’s how physical activity benefits young minds and how we can help more people experience the impacts:
Stress relief
Exercise is a natural stress reliever, helping children manage the pressures of school, family, and social life. Physical activity stimulates the production of endorphins, acting as natural painkillers and mood elevators. Ideally, primary school pupils should be active for around 60 minutes, however, this can’t always be achieved with PE lessons alone.
To help reach that target, we should encourage physical activity during break times, extracurricular activities and healthier ways of commuting to and from school, such as cycling and walking. Helping everyone to #PlayForFunPlayFor60, as is the theme for National Sports Week 2024, while also creating healthy habits for the future.
Coping Skills and Resilience
Physical activity teaches young people how to cope with challenges and setbacks, both in sports and in life.
Through PE, we should always aim to create a supportive and encouraging environment where pupils feel safe taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from their experiences. We should celebrate their achievements and provide constructive feedback to help them grow as individuals and performers.
Social Development
Participating in physical activity provides opportunities for children to interact with their peers, develop social skills, and build friendships. Team sports, in particular, promote communication and cooperation, fostering a sense of belonging and shared experience among teammates.
Be sure to introduce team activities that require problem-solving, working together and shared objectives, allowing every team member to thrive. Games can be modified to ensure all children achieve success.
Boosted Self-Esteem and Confidence
Mastering new skills and overcoming challenges in PE and school sport can build confidence, which benefits children in all aspects of their lives. Through physical activity, we can create opportunities for pupils to set and achieve goals, leading to a sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem.
Help children to feel this sense of achievement by tailoring activities and instructions to each individual's skill level, set realistic targets for each session and offer positive encouragement when you see improvements being made.
Thank you for reading #NSSW2024 #MovingPEForward #PlayForFunPlayFor60
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