Physical education may be a trial to many students, but it is an important part of elementary and secondary education. There are many reasons why this class is vital to students, including those that hate the class.
Childhood obesity is easily recognized as the number one reason we should keep this requirement. Our children do not get enough exercise under most circumstances. Taking even a half hour of gym five days a week could help stop this major problem among our children.
We also want to instill a habit. If our children get used to the idea of spending a set amount of time exercising on a regular basis, they may continue that habit on into adulthood. Some may not make that a habit. However, each child that does could lower our incidents of diabetes, heart disease and other problems caused by obesity and lack of exercise.
In gym, our children should also learn a lot about fair play. Most games have rules, and these rules are and should be strictly enforced. If there are consequences of cheating, harming another player, etc., children will be able to see that they have to follow applicable laws and rules when they are adults.
For many, physical education can be a means of stress release. Studying, taking difficult tests and dealing with peers can create a lot of stress and anxiety in our children. Our parents used to call it “blowing off a little steam.” Exercise can reduce stress loads for our children.
It is easy to understand why schools are cutting this class. State budget cuts leave many school districts looking for programs that they can live without. Cutting physical education leaves the schools with more money for other areas.
There are also many more things our children have to learn that we did not. In order to get into a good college, they may need to fill that particular hour every day with classes that provide them the necessary stepping stones.
Neither of these things should be a detriment. Getting rid of physical education is another step in the wrong direction for our schools. This class is too important to be put on the chopping block.