The Transformative Power of Physical Education: A Personal Reflection

By Dr Liz Durden-Myers

Why is PE important to me?

In a PE Insights Podcast, I was asked why Physical Education is important to me. In the recording, I outlined a range of reasons, but I thought I would reflect on this question a little more.

In this blog, I have tried to express just some of the reasons why PE is important to me.

Navigating life’s challenges

Physical education, which is often underestimated, plays a pivotal role in shaping not just athletes, but everyone’s lives, by helping to create active and well-rounded individuals capable of navigating life’s challenges.

Personal development beyond physical health benefits

Reflecting on my own journey, the impact of dedicated PE teachers and the experiences within and beyond the school walls has been instrumental in shaping not only my engagement in physical activity but also my resilience, communication skills, self confidence and overall personal growth.

Profound impact of physical education

My early encounters with exceptional teachers in my physical education classes were transformative. Those pe classes not only nurtured my sporting and physical abilities but instilled essential life skills. These experiences became the foundation for my engagement in physical activities outside school, providing me with valuable lessons beyond the realm of sports.

Life enrichment

Playing golf, for instance, taught me the art of communication, turning a stranger on the first tee into a conversational companion by the 18th.

Physical activity, I realised, was a gateway to broader learning, enriching my life in such a way that was beyond the purely physical.

Positive impact of physical activity

Mental health and well being benefits

The significance of regular physical activity in my life extends beyond mere enjoyment. In times of stress or fatigue, it serves as a sanctuary—a space for self-reflection and rejuvenation. It is my escape, allowing me to reconnect with myself and my surroundings.

A powerful tool

This personal connection fuels my conviction that physical education is not just a subject. Unfortunately, as a subject, it is too frequently relegated to limited importance. Instead, physical education is an incredibly rich learning environment that can create foundational experiences that promote or stunt engagement in physical activity.

Physical activity

My unique journey underscores the profound impact of physical education, prompting me to advocate for its importance in the broader educational landscape. The realisation dawned that physical education provides a distinct opportunity —the only one in which all children and young adults interact with specialist educators and teachers of physical education. This window of opportunity, if seized effectively, can ignite a lifelong passion for physically active lifestyles.

Vital role of inclusive experiences

Historically, physical education might have missed the mark by catering primarily to the already active, inadvertently neglecting those who had not yet found their footing. My teaching experience brought me face-to-face with this reality. Confronted with a student struggling with basic physical tasks, I recognised the imperative role PE plays in providing inclusive experiences. It became clear that every child, regardless of their initial abilities or skill level, deserves the chance to discover the joy of movement.

Pedagogy of inclusion and social justice

Drawing inspiration from this insight, I embraced a pedagogy of inclusion, determined to create physical education experiences that unlock everyone’s potential.

Engage all children in sport and physical activity

Lifelong joy of movement and physical health

In essence, physical education is a unique opportunity to shape future generations. It offers a limited but crucial timeframe to instil a love for physical activity that can last a lifetime. The responsibility of educators is profound: to either turn off a generation by neglecting inclusivity and our responsibility, or to inspire a generation to embrace physical activity joyfully. Their formative experiences in PE can be the catalyst that either dampens or fuels a lifelong commitment to a healthy, physically active lifestyle. In this light, the significance of physical education transcends the gym, field, or hall; it becomes a cornerstone in building a flourishing life grounded in the joy of movement.

 Why is PE important to you?

In this reflection, I have given some reasons why PE is important to me. Now I’m passing the microphone to you… please share ‘Why is PE important to you?’

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Responses

  1. Reading through your blog, Liz, I find myself nodding along in agreement with everything you’ve written.

    Physical Education – when delivered to its full potential, has the power to create a future bursting with positivity for our students. Self-confidence, resilience, resourcefulness, communication; the list of lifelong skills that can be developed through effective PE is endless. For me, it’s the ability to develop these skills within students, that makes PE so important. Equipping pupils with the necessary skills to engage with a large range of physical activities is also of great importance. If you happen to help produce the next Wayne Rooney or Andy Murray along the way, then that is an added benefit.

    Personally, my own journey has been a series of positive experiences that have shaped who I am today. I’ve cultivated a love for movement and physical exercise. Not a day goes by without some form of exercise or movement—whether it’s a long run, a gym session, a round of golf or joining my teammates for a game of football. This commitment to physical activity has supported me to build strength, both physically and mentally. This has helped me survive anything thrown at me whilst enjoying life.

    Joining clubs—be it football, athletics, tennis— has been instrumental in bringing me out of my shell. I have learnt to navigate and thrive in a range of social settings and developed communication skills that have helped me throughout life. Through these activities, I’ve met many brilliant people and made lifelong friendships.

    I feel like I could talk on this subject forever, but to finish… the world of PE is not just a collection of exercises; it is a tool for transforming lives, creating friendships and shaping positive and exciting futures. Pe is for everyone!

    1. Hey Matt, thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts / own journey. I think because we are so lucky to have had a range of positive experiences and therefore know the tremendous value it can bring to our lives, it makes us even more passionate in ensuring all children experience a range of positive physical activity experiences so that they too can begin to build a positive relationship with movement and reap the rewards that it will bring, not only now, but in the years to come. Thanks again for sharing 🙂