Adapted Physical Education Experience

Tonight was my first PED 356 lab experience and also the first time that I met the student I will be working with over the next several weeks. Going into lab tonight I was sort of nervous, only because I had no idea what to expect. I have never taken any adapted physical education classes before at Cortland, so I was going into this lab without any experience or background information to help me. Although I was nervous, I did not let my nerves get the best of me, because I was extremely excited at the same time as well.

I have been looking forward to this class and this lab very much because my brother was involved in adapted physical education when he was in elementary and middle school and I have always been extremely interested in learning more about it. My brother was born three months premature and had several difficulties performing the proper locomotor and fundamental skills. He was in adapted physical education to receive the proper teaching and necessary help in order for him to be successful in the future.

Growing up I never knew the difference between adapted physical education and regular physical education classes. I was not aware of the differences until I was in high school, and then I started to comprehend the importance and significance of having adapted physical education. To me, I always knew my brother was different then the rest, and I knew he needed that extra guidance in school. He did not have a severe case such as autism or down syndrome; instead he was diagnosed with a few learning disabilities, though the basic locomotor and fundamental skills is where he really struggled. Now my brother is in high school and he is a lot more coordinated then he was in middle school or elementary school. He is not in adapted physical education at all through out high school and he is completely capable of working and playing with others.  Without the help and guidance of his teachers early on in physical education, my brother may still be several steps behind; however, that is not the case due to his outstanding physical education teachers in the past.

After attending my first adapted physical education lab tonight, I opened my eyes to a lot of new experiences and situations I observed and experienced. The young girl I worked with was very high functioning and only had a few learning disabilities, closely related to my brothers case; and she was so eager to learn and exciting to work with. I learned more from her in one hour I bet then from what I taught her. My first experience went extremely well and I could not have a better student to work with. Participating in lab tonight made me realize once again the positives about being a physical educator and enhanced my desire to teach so much more. I love working with kids and I have been able to learn through so many experiences already, I can not wait to see what the future holds.