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Beginning of Physcial Education in Schools
Johann Bernhard Basedow was an influential physical education leader in Germany in the 18th century that believed children leran the most through play (Steen, 2015). By the early 19th century, Johann’s beliefs of physical education were practiced in German public schools (Steen, 2015). Germany, Sweden, and England influenced the early development of Physical Education in the United States (Mitchell, 2017). -
The Round Hill School
The first school in United States to have physical education as part of their curriculum was the Round Hill School located in Northampton, Massachusetts in 1823 (Mitchell, 2017). -
The First Private School in America to Incorporate Physical Education into Curriculum
In 1855 the public the schools in the United States began to require physical education in their curriculum. A public school in Cincinnati, Ohio was the first public school in 1855 to offer Physical Education to their students (Mitchell, 2017). -
Challenging Traditional Education
In the 1890s, John Dewey and his colleges challenged the traditional education and whose educational reforms led to the expansion of the three R’s to include physical education (Mitchell, 2017). Many schools that were used to train physical education teachers were established in the 1890s (Mitchell, 2017). -
Physical Education Spread through the Schools in the United States
In 1920s, many states passed legislation requiring Physical Education in school curriculum (Mitchell, 2017). -
World War II
In 1941, the United States was devastated by the unexpected bombing of Pearl Harbor and the entrance into world War II. Physical Education started to shift from games and sports to physical conditioning (Mitchell, 2017). -
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Recession
Later in the twentieth century, Physical Education in schools’ curriculum began to decline due to extra subjects and electives being added to the schools’ curriculum (Brief History of Physical Education, 2017). During this time, the United States was also experiencing a recession; therefore, there was not enough government money to support physical education in schools’ curriculum (Brief History of Physical Education, 2017). -
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Obesity and Technology
In the early 21st century, the United States has recognized a problem with obesity in adults and children compared to other nations. Children’s attention is being occupied by technology such as video games, tablets, and cellphones that require no physical activity. The government has brought Physical Education back to societies attention. Elementary schools have mandatory Physical Education, although high school still has Physical Education as an elective.