Ethical Aspects in Teaching Physical Education

Physical Education in schools can contribute positively to children and young people’s development in many ways. Besides the important contribution that Physical Education has on physical and motor development, it can also be an important vehicle for cognitive, personal, social, and emotional development too. Such development is enhanced through informed thinking, caring, and enlightened Physical Education teaching by teachers who are operating within an ethical framework of good practice. Children and young people, as well as their families, should have every confidence that when in school Physical Education teachers treat learners with respect and understanding. Thus, it is of primordial importance that Physical Education teachers promote good practice and procedures by complying to values-related principles while being ever vigilant and aware of their responsibilities toward the children and young people in their care. In this entry, we explore ethical practice in Physical Education from the perspective of ethical teaching and the role the subject can play in contribution to the development of ethical awareness in children and young people.