Developing the Whole Child through Athletics
A Rigorous Pursuit
By Craig Learn
“Children are whole beings and need to learn more than the physical performance of skills. They must understand skill performance principles and develop cognitive learning related to physical activity and wellness. Affective development, the learning of cooperative and social skills, is fostered through group activities and are inclusive of all children regardless of their widely varying skills and abilities.” (Pangrazi, 2001) n this year of “Rigorous Pursuit,” Saint David’s continues to focus on the development of the whole child. Physical education and athletics are essential components of this development. In fact, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education characterizes a quality physical education program as “instruction in a variety of motor skills that are designed to enhance the physical, mental, and social/emotional development of every child.”(NASPE, 2003) This pursuit is undertaken by students and coaches alike. The students participate in athletics at least four days per week. A knowledgeable coaching staff delivers instruction in a variety of activities requiring the students to learn and display a wide range of skills and understanding. Each student is held to a high standard ????????????????????????????????????????????????A????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????M????????e?? ???????????????A??-??????????-??????????=????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????%?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????qQ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????a???????????????d??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????t??5?5???????????Q????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????M????????e????????????????????????????????????????????????????????1???M???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????M?????????????????M?????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????=???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????e?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????()$((???????M????????e?5?????((0