Best sports activities for children of the Primary School

Most of us fondly remember our ‘games period’ which was always lots of fun. Typically, we were left to play whatever sport we wanted, with little or no help from our physical education (PE) teachers. The lucky ones got some special attention but they were few and far between. 

The world has evolved and so should schools, especially when it comes to younger children. 

Hand-eye coordination 

One of the most important start points of a good PE program is to train young children in sound hand-eye coordination. There are scientific ways to do this and the PE instructors must be trained to deliver on this. 

Movement 

Children must be encouraged to step out of their seats and to move around. Research shows children who move frequently are healthier and have higher attention spans. Some of the most progressive schools have open classrooms specially designed for movement. They also have a variety of furniture and seating to encourage movement. 

Biomechanics 

This is the science of the right movement. It includes all the right way to lift objects and acquiring the right posture. Seeds of many injuries in adult life were sown in school and a result of incorrect posture, carrying heavy schools bags or sitting long hours at a desk. PE instructors must be trained in biomechics to help children develop knowledge and techniques of this all important science. 

Beyond sports - Lifelong fitness 

As we grow older, most of us hardly play the sports we used to play at school. A sound 21st century PE program must be designed to go beyond sports and inculcate lifelong habits of physical fitness. These include running, bicycling, aerobics, gym sessions, etc. Most of these activities involve groups (and friends) and are more fun. There is positive peer pressure too, which ensures we don’t back out easily. Developing these habits at a young age increases the probability our children will continue these for their rest of their lives, and go on to live fit and healthy lives right into their old age. 

Free play 

Free play is a vital yet an often ignored aspect, especially since there is increasing  parental pressure on schools to organise sports. Free play (when children can opt to play anything they wish) builds passion, enthusiasm and love for sports. Children will always be more excited when they have a voice and choice. 

Organised Sports 

There is great value in organised sports. Trained PE specialists can impart basic training in most major sports. Some of the Best Schools in Gurgaon even collaborate with leading sports academics. Great schools invest in high quality and age appropriate infrastructure - for both indoor and outdoor sports. Kindergarten and primary schools require a greater variety of smaller spaces, while middle and senior schools require larger spaces. 

The software will always remain more important than the hardware. Facilities are important, but what’s even more important are the skills of the PE specialists and the ‘fitness oriented’ culture of a school. A culture that embraces more wholistic physical development and goes beyond conventional sports. 

Sandy Hooda
Co-Founder
Vega Schools