Regular physical activity can help children and adolescents improve cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong bones and muscles, control weight, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduce the risk of developing health conditions. At Mount Mercy School, we take this very serious for the welfare and all round development of our children. We want to prepare them to perform in all walks of life.
The programme aims for growth and development in all students and has multiple benefits for physical, mental, and psychosocial health that undoubtedly contribute to learning.
Physical activity can improve mental health by decreasing and preventing conditions such as anxiety and depression, as well as improving mood and other aspects of well-being. Evidence for both direct and indirect health effects of physical activity has been reported, and the need for ongoing participation in physical activity to stimulate and maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout life has been well documented. Regular physical activity does not alter the process of growth and development. Rather, developmental stage is a significant determinant of motor skills, physical capacity, and the adaptation to activity that is reasonable to expect.
In sum, a comprehensive physical activity plan with physical education at the core, supplemented by other varied opportunities for and an environment supportive of physical activity throughout the day, would make an important contribution to children’s health and development, thereby enhancing their readiness to learn which is what we target at Mount Mercy School.
