Why is it difficult for most people to understand what competencies physical education adds the educated child?

It's difficult for many to understand the competencies physical education (PE) adds to an educated child because its benefits are often less immediately visible and less easily quantifiable than those of subjects like math or reading. Several factors contribute:

* Lack of Visible, Immediate Outcomes: The benefits of PE, such as improved cardiovascular health, stronger bones, and better coordination, are long-term and often not immediately apparent. In contrast, the ability to solve a math problem or read a passage is immediately demonstrable. This makes it harder to connect PE to academic success in the short term.

* Narrow Definition of Education: Many still hold a narrow view of education as solely focused on academic subjects like reading, writing, and arithmetic. They may not recognize the importance of physical literacy, social-emotional learning, and overall well-being as crucial components of a well-rounded education.

* Misconceptions and Stereotypes: PE is sometimes wrongly perceived as simply "recess" or a less important subject that can be easily cut from the curriculum when budgets are tight. This undervalues the structured learning and skill development that occurs in a well-designed PE program.

* Difficulty in Measuring Outcomes: While progress in academic subjects can be readily assessed through tests and grades, measuring the impact of PE is more complex. While fitness tests can be used, they don't fully capture the broader benefits like teamwork, discipline, and self-confidence.

* Lack of Awareness of Research: The substantial body of research demonstrating the positive correlation between physical activity and cognitive function, academic performance, and overall health is not always widely known or understood by the public or policymakers.

* Focus on Standardized Testing: The emphasis on standardized testing in many educational systems often leads to a disproportionate focus on subjects that are easily tested, while the broader benefits of PE are overlooked.

In essence, the difficulty stems from a combination of a lack of readily apparent, measurable benefits, narrow definitions of education, prevalent misconceptions, and insufficient dissemination of research highlighting the significant contributions of physical education to a child's holistic development.