All children and young people should access high quality PE. This includes those with physical difficulties.
Taking part in physical activities can:
- develop social skills
- increase confidence and concentration
- create a sense of achievement
- improve mental health
- develop balance and coordination
- increase muscle and motor skills
Children with disabilities should do 20 minutes of physical activity per day. Read more about the physical activity guidelines for disabled children and young people.
But research shows that children and young people with a disability:
- don’t always take part in PE
- are not always fully included in PE
There are several reasons for this. There might be safety concerns or staff might not know how to adapt PE lessons. But with careful planning and the right support, these barriers can be overcome.