Physical education is a vital part of a primary school’s curriculum. In the same way that little ones need education to grow their minds, physical education is equally important to teach them about the benefits of health and fitness to grow their bodies.

PE classes are not only about getting some energy out of kids during the day, a good PE program will give them confidence, build healthy habits, improve motor skills and teach them about teamwork.

With childhood obesity becoming more common, PE classes are a great way to educate children on the importance of exercise and healthy habits. PE classes are not just about lining the kids up for a game of kickball, they are also about offering education on the benefits of regular exercise and a balanced diet. By planting the seeds of healthy habits at a young age, they will have the foundations they need to grow from healthy kids into healthy adults.

PE classes are a great way for kids to improve their coordination and skill development. Not all kids are interested in being involved in weekend sports or physical activities outside of school, so PE classes are a chance for them to improve fundamental skills like running, jumping, swimming and throwing. 

PE classes are not just vital for physical development, they are also a great way to teach social skills, teamwork and leadership. By being a part of a common goal with their peers, they will learn how to be part of a team, and feel the satisfaction that comes from winning, and how to deal with the disappointment of losing. 

A regular exercise schedule will also boost their mood, increase their confidence and reduce stress, leading to a better performance in the classroom.

Every school is different and will have their own unique PE program in place for students. Most PE classes generally follow a structure that is a balance between skill-building, education and the playing of a game.

PE classes usually begin with a warm-up, where the teacher will guide the kids through light activities like stretching and jogging to increase their heart rate, warm up their muscles and reduce their risk of injury.

Following the warm-up, some kind of motor skill exercises are done. These may include simple activities like taking a partner and throwing a ball to each other. These are done to improve hand-eye coordination and prepare them for the main activity of the session.

The main activity of PE classes is generally focused toward team sports, group challenges and activities that foster teamwork and learned skills in a fun game. These games often include things like kickball, relay races, basketball, netball and any sport where each child can participate and feel part of a team.

Following the main activity, many PE teachers will run a short cool-down session where they will have the students do some stretching and light cool-down activities. This is not just a chance for the kids to wind-down their bodies and minds from the session, it also allows the PE teachers to address the kids with some learnings that the kids can take from the activity. These learnings can include things like what they could have done to improve their performance, how they could have worked better as a team and areas to focus on for the next class.

No matter how good a school’s PE program is, healthy habits are built in the home. Ensure that your child has a balanced diet that will let them thrive in both the classroom and PE classes. Encourage them to be active at home in any way they enjoy, whether that be weekend sports and training or just riding their bike outside with friends. 

Provide your child with appropriate clothing and PE shoes to ensure that they will enjoy their PE classes with the comfort and support they need. Check out our PE shoes buying guide for advice on buying the right shoes for your child.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading our guide to PE lessons in primary schools.