Why More PE Can Help Disruptive Students

Believe it or not, when kids participate in physical activity breaks during the school day, it can improve their classroom behavior. When students have a chance to let their energy out and take a break both physically and mentally, they’re more attentive and focus better, making them less disruptive and more on-task. This is why physical education (PE) throughout the school day is important for students, and an increase in PE might even be one solution to classroom disruptions.

Physical education is related to better academic behaviors, as studies show positive associations between PE and improved attention/concentration, self-concept, impulse control, and other cognitive skills and attitudes. Students should have a set amount of physical activity during the day, and for more disruptive students, more time in PE might be beneficial to releasing more of their energy to be able to focus better in the classroom and not act out as often.

Encouraging students to have fun and enjoy themselves without being cooped up in the classroom could also help them not feel as restless and inattentive while doing schoolwork. Disruptive students have different reasons for their outbursts, but prevention is the best first step in an attempt to resolve these behaviors. PE is a good way to get blood flowing to all parts of the body while taking necessary breaks in order to enforce positive classroom behavior.

To resolve disruptive behavior in classrooms, it may be beneficial to incorporate more physical education into students’ school days. Students need a specific amount of physical activity every day, and for more fidgety students, increasing this amount of physical activity may be the answer to decreasing their troublesome ways. Exercise aids in the release of endorphins, and gives kids a way to let their energy loose while also improving attention span and concentration, resulting in less disruptive behavior.