In many of my classes at Butler I have learned about the importance of physical education in school systems. I value and support physical education, especially as I continue to learn about how physical activity benefits learning in school.
The United States has an organization called SHAPE America. It stands for Society of Health and Physical Educators. It is a national organization that serves as a voice for health and physical education professionals across the nation. They provide programs, resources, and advocacy that supports an inclusive, active, kinder, and healthier school culture. The mission of SHAPE America is, “To advance professional practice and promote research related to health and physical education, physical activity, dance and sports”(SHAPE America). The standards provided by SHAPE America are a resource for educators to use as guidelines and expectations for their lesson plans. The standards expect students to; have the ability to demonstrate a variety of motor skills and movement patterns, apply knowledge of concepts, strategies and tactics, demonstrate the knowledge and skills to achieve a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness, and recognize the value of physical activity.
In China physical education is a part of the curriculum sheet set by The Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. The curriculum sheet is from primary school up to the second year of college. In China grades one and two should have four hours of physical education per week, and three hours for grades three to six. In the United States elementary schools are recommended to provide one hundred and fifty minutes, thirty minutes shorter than grades three to six in China. The schools in China are required to organize extra-curricular physical activities like “morning exercises, class-break exercises, competitions, events, and after-school sports”(Kajanus). Similar to Shape America, the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China provides standards and teaching materials for the curriculum. The curriculum includes fundamental motor skills, athletics, games, gymnastics, martial arts, and other traditional sports. Also like the SHAPE America standards, the curriculum outlines “goals for knowledge about sports, health and safety, and psychological development that emphasizes resilience and cooperative skills” (Kajanus).
Overall China and the United States have very similar value in Physical Education in school. Both SHAPE America and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China provide curriculum for their teachers and set health standards for the students throughout their years in school.
Sources:
https://www.asianstudies.org/wp-content/uploads/physical-education-in-chinese-schools-role-models-repetition-and-winning.pdf
https://www.shapeamerica.org/standards/pe/