PE RESOURCE CENTER
We’re thrilled to bring you our third resource center, the Physical Education Resource Center—or PE Resource Center for short! We’ve been speaking and working with physical education teachers since we were founded nearly 10 years ago, so we felt that it only made sense for us to finally add a place where PE teachers can find a bunch of useful resources. With touch-free and physically-distanced PE on everyone’s mind, now, more than ever, we need a PE Resource Center.
Our PE Resource Center is an ongoing project, just like our Sensory Pathway Resource Center and Recess Resource Center, so be sure to constantly check back for new updates and resources! We also LOVE to collaborate with experts in the field, so if you think you could lend a hand to any one of our resource centers, be sure to get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you!
According to SHAPE America, physical education, or PE, “...provides students with a planned, sequential, K-12 standards-based program of curricula and instruction designed to develop motor skills, knowledge and behaviors for active living, physical fitness, sportsmanship, self-efficacy and emotional intelligence.” Physical education can also provide instruction in hygiene or nutrition, which is sometimes referred to as “Health Ed.”
Just like recess, PE can take place anywhere and everywhere. Although the most common place for physical education classes is in the gymnasium or outside, effective PE can also happen in the hallway, a cleared-out classroom, an auditorium, or even in the cafeteria. PE can even happen at-home, provided there’s enough space!
Why Is PE Important?
There are many benefits to implementing a proper physical education curriculum in school. A strong, mandated physical education curriculum can help provide regular physical activity, boost confidence, develop fine motor skills, teach proper health and nutrition, build confidence and relieve stress, all of which can provide benefits to kids in the classroom and at home. There are plenty of studies that link physical activity to improved academic performance and general well-being.
Can Schools Have PE in a Pandemic?
COVID has impacted the education sector significantly. Many districts are considering or already have eliminated PE for the foreseeable future. Districts that have been trying to salvage PE are looking at modified schedules or partial classes.
As strong advocates who understand the importance of children partaking in physical education, we know that we need to do our part to help schools create a safe but effective way to allow children to get the physical activity they need. The CDC has laid out specific safety criteria for PE in schools, and our Roll-Out Activities have the ability to be set up as stations or circuits to fit the guidelines. As we continue to create new ideas, products, and plans to help save PE during this pandemic, we hope that schools will join us in getting creative in thinking about how kids can remain active.
As strong advocates who understand the importance of children partaking in physical education, we know that we need to do our part to help schools create a safe but effective way to allow children to get the physical activity they need. The CDC has laid out specific safety criteria for PE in schools, and our Roll-Out Activities have the ability to be set up as stations or circuits to fit the guidelines. As we continue to create new ideas, products, and plans to help save PE during this pandemic, we hope that schools will join us in getting creative in thinking about how kids can remain active.
