Physical Education
The concept of a “sound
mind in a sound body,” is key to the physical
education program at Studio. Besides the
immediate goals of teaching gross motor skills,
competence in bodily movement, and teamwork,
it provides students with many opportunities
to explore other essential areas for growth,
including how to both win and lose graciously,
the qualities needed for leadership, good sportsmanship,
and most importantly, lifelong enjoyment in full,
flexible, and proficient use of the body. Whether
in playing soccer, basketball, baseball, or track
and field, students at Studio learn how to expand
their personal physical skills and to coordinate
their performance in a team game plan.
The Early
Childhood students spend time every morning in
the yard or toddler gym. Their
equipment, such as hollow blocks, hoops, cones,
and ramps, encourages the children to engage
in dramatic play while developing their gross
motor skills and sense of body in space. They
climb, run, hop, hide, crouch, and wiggle, while
assuming roles and recreating scenes from their
experiences and imaginations.
Children in the
earliest elementary classes learn the rudiments
of how to play with a ball – whether
catching, throwing, dribbling, kicking, or hitting
it with a bat. They begin to work on combining
their movements, following directions, and cooperating
with other students, as well as increasing their
tumbling strength and balance, and practicing stretching
exercises. When organized games are introduced
in the elementary years, children learn the rules
of each game, how to be a team player, and how
to cooperate effectively as part of a team strategy
for winning. Students also learn gymnastics,
how to run relays and obstacle courses, and take
part in The President’s Fitness Challenge. Middle
School students participate in a well-structured
program that includes both individual and team
sports, aerobic exercise, yoga, dance, and fitness
exercises. In every area, the focus is on
connecting the mind and body and using them to
support each other in personal development and
group athletics.
