Physical education as the main medium for teaching : a study within the early years field

Abstract

Unquestionably, young children assimilate data better when it is presented to them through a cross-curricular approach. Hence, this ongoing research will try to extrapolate this same situation through the main medium of Physical Education. Data collection took place in six schools, two from the State area, two from the Church sector and another two from the Independent domain. Interviews were carried out with Heads of school and questionnaires were distributed to Early Years Classroom teachers and Physical Education teachers. Following data collection, a thorough analysis of all information was carried out, followed by the most relevant literature. Centre points emerging from the investigations related to the importance of children learning through play, fundamental relevance to the thematic approach and less emphasis stipulated towards creative arts subjects. Although administrators deem Physical Education as an ever increasing subject in its importance, nevertheless it is still not being given enough weight due to pressure from core subjects in preparation of examinations, an overloaded curriculum and impracticality of teaching through Physical Education. In order to validate the authenticity of teaching through Physical Education, implementation of a small segment of the integrated curriculum pack devised was carried out in one of the schools were data collection was completed. This study is directed towards the standpoint of how through diverse physical activity linked to more academic subjects, children will benefit from both domains.