Chapter One- An Overview of Developmental Physical Education

Fundamental skill development and assessment is critical in the profession of Physical Education.  Our main job as prospective teachers is to promote healthy lifestyles and improve the overall well being of all of our students.  Physical Education is crucial in our schools for the reason that 25 percent of our population is considered to be obese.  According to the chapter, we need to take steps to get this epidemic under control  One of the first things we can do is set benchmarks and standards for our Physical Education students.  Setting a starting point, or an "expected" level is just the beginning, but it's still a start.  Without students being taught and assessed of fundamental skills at a young age, they will never properly progress into developing more advanced skills.  Fundamental skills at a young age a critical for advancement.  Without advancement students will not develop the opportunity to obtain the skill level to use the sports in a lifetime setting.  Assessment comes into play in order to test the benchmarks that we must set.  This will show the teachers the areas that each students needs work.