Active Minds, Active Bodies: The Unique Holistic Approach to Physical Education at ISP

At ISP, Physical Education (PE) for our Early Childhood Foundation (ECF) students is about much more than just burning off energy. It is a holistic approach to movement with a dynamic blend of cognitive challenge, physical development, and creative expression.

"The main impact of PE is holistic, serving as the primary engine for their brain, body, and social development. It is not just about burning energy; it is about building the neurological and physical architecture they will use for the rest of their lives." 
Bara Boubelikova Baptista, ECF Physical Education Teacher

Cognitive Challenge and Building Confidence
The PE curriculum is designed to integrate seamlessly with what students are learning in their classrooms while supporting specific areas of development. For example, their teacher, Ms. Bara introduced an activity where children have to sort bean bags according to their color while riding back and forth on scooters, supporting cognitive thinking along with physical balance.

Physical Development through Targeting Skills
Physical Education for ECF targets three main areas: locomotive skills, balance, and manipulative skills. Students are encouraged to run, jump, and partake in activities that help them develop vital skills for their development. A good example for this is the “clips” activity where children had to identify silhouettes of an image using a clip, refining the strength in their grips. 

Social-Emotional Support and Creative Expression
At the beginning of the year, ECF students start settling into the small gym and learning basic routines. They learn the expectations and are taught to understand cues like run, freeze, home. Bara uses a special puppet which serves as a comforting bridge for students who might feel shy about high-fiving a teacher or joining a new activity. It helps them overcome hesitation, teaches them how to dress for PE, and even assists with how to tie shoelaces to stay safe while having fun. 

Additionally, music is always present during these lessons as it adds a key enjoyment factor to the children’s experience. It is also vital for brain development and helping children identify rhythms while allowing children to cross the mid-line through dancing, further developing the brain-body connection.

Cross Grade Education
ECF 5 has combined classes with Grade 1 students, allowing for cross-curricular activities, peer teaching, and collaboration. This also helps prepare ECF 5 students for understanding what their experience might be when they go to Grade 1. The learning environment expands to the outdoors (using the Grade 2 playground), and the activities become more tactical for this level. 

The PE programme also connects ECF students to the wider school community. During Field Days and Mikulas Day Celebration, Middle and Upper School students lead activity stations, acting as role models. 

“Young learners are building resilience, they are also learning to overcome some initial hesitations with support, and they can go through more challenging things that can be transferred to real-life contexts.”
Bara Boubelikova Baptista, ECF Physical Education Teacher

From the focus and communication skills required during parachute play to the joy of mastering a forward roll, the ECF PE programme builds resilient, coordinated, and happy learners.