What is your philosophy when it comes to teaching physical education to Children?
I wanted to become a teacher because I was always the child that was passed along from one teacher to the next. No one cared that I couldn’t read, or that I was constantly picked on, or that I struggled with all aspects of school life. When I finally got to grade four I had a teacher that completely changed my outlook on life, when she noticed I had the reading level of a kindergarten student she personally made sure that I got the help that I needed to get my reading levels where I could comprehend and contribute in class. During silent reading she put a chair beside her desk and got books of an easier level for me to read and cool little jelly soups as a reward for when I finished a book. She made a huge impact on my life and as I got older I realized I wanted to become a teacher because I wanted to give back to students just as that teacher had done for me.
I realize and understand personally how it feels to be a child that is mistreated by other children for the magnitude of reasons from not being as equally coordinated as the others, being a heavier weight, or kids just not liking other kids. I personally believe that to teach children how to respect themselves and each other is a fundamental block in teaching physical education. By setting boundaries as to how to treat the gym equipment, your fellow class mates, and respecting the rules that are in place I believe are the beginning steps to a child that can take the respect from the gym to society.
Self-esteem is becoming a bigger a bigger concern and what better way than using physical education as a source to help children build up their self-esteem. I know that these changes don’t happen over night or maybe not even in a year, but I hope by using games that incorporate all skill levels and making rules and letting children set a short term goal of which they wish to accomplish for that class or that week is a great way to build on. Even just simply telling a child the good things they did that day adds to their self-esteem.
All three of these coincide with one another, they each branch off into other areas of life outside of the gym, I hope by working on these particular things children will not only to be able to have fun in gym but to be able to take all of the fundamental skills and life skills and incorporate them into their everyday lives.
A number of people have had teachers that have changed their lives. Sometimes we connect with a teacher and we realize that is what we want to do. Teaching is very rewarding especially if we can connect with a student who is isolated or withdrawn. Well done!
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