Physical activity provides children with opportunities to experience pleasure, self-expression, and social interaction. They learn to identify their physical and emotional feelings and to participate willingly with others.
In kindergarten, children begin to identify the feelings resulting from physical activity, such as happy, excited, frustrated, or tired. They learn how to share and take turns in physical activities. They experience being both a leader and a follower.
In second grade, students learn how to engage in group activities without interfering with others and how to acknowledge their own behavior. They acknowledge their opponent or partner before and after an activity and provide positive feedback and encouragement. They engage in more diverse types of group activities, including those that rely on cooperation, such as passing the ball in basketball so that another may make a score for the team.
By fourth grade, students set self-improvement goals in health-related fitness and keep records of their progress. They include and invite others in physical activities and learn to respect differences in skill level and motivation. They do not blame others for their own performance and respond to winning and losing with dignity and respect.
Practice question
- Which of the following would come first in the development of a student's social responsibility? A. an understanding of what a teammate (another) is feeling B. an understanding of what he or she (the student) is feeling C. an understanding of how a problem on the playground may be solved D. an understanding of how to set a personal goal on the playground
Answer and explanation
- The correct answer is Choice (B). Identifying one's feelings, which begins in kindergarten, is the first step toward self-responsibility, which later leads to an understanding of group responsibility. Choice (A) is part of learning to respect differences, which is third- or fourth-grade appropriate. Choice (C) is an ability that is fifth-grade appropriate. Choice (D) does involve self-responsibility but is late third- or fourth-grade appropriate.