How to Become an Effective Elementary Physical Education Teacher

Versatility and a positive outlook are keys to elementary P.E. teachers.

Physical education classes are making a big turn as schools, parents and even the government realize that P.E. is an important tool to promote health, exercise and fight obesity in children. Elementary physical education teachers play an important role, since they are often the first introduction that many children have to fitness, sports or exercise. As a P.E. teacher, there are some things that you can do to make your class one to remember.

Instructions

1. Show a positive attitude every day, practice what you preach and make physical education a fun place to be. Neil Wilson of Eastern Connecticut State University says that P.E. should be a catalyst for developing lifelong sport and recreational interest in students. The only way to effectively do this is to make sure that you are positive and promote all activities to let students find their interest. In addition, kids often mimic what they see so if you are excited, in shape and interested in the activity they will be too.

2. Teach students about nutrition as well as exercise. Many schools are incorporating nutrition lessons into the P.E. curriculum for students in addition to exercise and sports. "Newsweek" says that kids need to learn what items to select in the lunch line, and someone needs to show them what good food is. Usually this falls in line with fitness and exercise programs.

3. Push students to be active during the entire physical educatio period. According to Edutopia, one elementary class in Texas was only active for just over three minutes during a 40-minute class. A lack of activity leads to boredom, meaning kids will not like P.E., and in addition they will not be getting the proper benefits from the class.

4. Diversify the portfolio and teach the kids a wide variety of sports, games and activities that encourage them to move around. According to Neil Wilson of Eastern Connecticut University, stay away from sports or activities that leave kids out such as elimination games. Instead you should look for games that promote movement and plenty of activity.

References

• Edutopia: Schools Exercise Fresh Methods to Keep Kids Active
• Newsweek: How to Tackle the Childhood Obesity Epidemic