Why PE matters right alongside reading, writing and arithmetic
When schedules get tight, funding gets slashed, or test prep season kicks into high gear, physical education is often one of the first things to go. Like art and music, PE is frequently labeled as an “extracurricular”: a nice-to-have, but not essential to the core mission of academic learning.
But that thinking is outdated. Art, music and PE are not a break from learning. They are learning. Movement in particular supports whole child development because it underpins physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth. It’s time people stopped treating PE like it’s optional.
Why physical activity is essential, not extra
The benefits of regular physical activity go far beyond fitness. Being active improves mood, supports executive function and helps regulate behavior and attention, which are all crucial for learning.
Take a look at this imaging scan that compares a sedentary person’s brain activity to the brain activity of someone who just took a 20-minute walk. Which brain do you think learns better?
This brain scan study, by Dr. Chuck Hillman from the University of Illinois, shows a dramatic increase in brain activity after just a 20-minute walk. The areas lit up in the scan are linked to improved mood and cognitive function.
It’s a powerful visual reminder that physical activity isn’t just good for the body. It also sharpens the mind.
For educators weighing the value of PE, this underscores a vital point: moving more can help students think better, feel better, and learn better.
According to experts, students who are physically active tend to have better grades, school attendance and classroom behaviors. They also experience improved memory, better concentration and a lower risk of depression and anxiety.
In short, movement makes brains work better.
Movement prioritization through physical education also helps students develop positive relationships with movement and exercise which supports a lifetime of building and maintaining strong, healthy bodies, and that is part of helping them build strong, healthy lives.
When cuts come, movement often goes
Unfortunately, PE is often one of the first areas to get cut when time or money is tight. Whether it’s eliminating recess to squeeze in more test prep, or reducing PE to one day a week to make room for more “core” subjects, movement-based learning is often treated like an expendable luxury.
In many cases, recess is counted toward a student’s required activity minutes. But recess, while valuable for free play, is unstructured and typically lacks intentional physical or educational outcomes.
Cutting structured physical education from their days sends the wrong message to students. It implicitly suggests that their bodies are separate from their minds, and that wellness is secondary to academic performance.
What educators can do
There are ways to bring movement into the school day, even in non-PE classrooms. In fact, integrating movement throughout the day (in addition to PE class, of course) can benefit all students.
If your school is in a position where PE is underresourced, it’s important to consider tools that bring movement opportunities to learning. A resource like Hiveclass can help by providing engaging, standards-aligned content that supports physical literacy.
We also have a special series in our curriculum on precisely this topic to help share the value of PE with others. It’s important for students to understand how movement impacts their lives.
Hiveclass clients can access the four-part video series, “Why PE Matters,” by logging in and clicking here.
If you’re new to Hiveclass, get in touch to learn how you can unlock access.
Final thought
Physical education has inherent value, and it also has incredible academic value. When we prioritize movement, we’re not taking time away from learning, we’re creating better conditions for it.