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Physical Literacy Options

Physical literacy is the ability to move with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole person.[1]

Importance of physical literacy for overall well-being:

  1. Social
  2. Aesthetic
  3. Competition
  4. Survival

Being able to be simply engaged in physical literacy allows a person to examine their own movements and in turn better performance and development.

The fundamental and significant aspects of physical literacy are:

Physical literacy is seen as a skill that is available and achievable for all. It involves a variety of experiences and develops from the day we are all born. Various advancements in physical literacy have shown the key aspects of being able to workout with confidence and competence while making physical literacy a daily practice and development.

History

Margaret Whitehead

Professor Dame Margaret Whitehead

In 1993, Dr. Margaret Whitehead proposed the concept of Physical literacy at the International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women Congress in Melbourne, Australia.[1] From this research, the concept and definition of physical literacy was developed. In addition, the implications of physical literacy being the goal of all structures were drawn up.

Margaret Whitehead's framework formed around:

  1. Being able to move and make a significant contribution to quality of life in the culture that we live in along while considering our own physical abilities
  2. Using movement and confidence in physically challenging situations to adapt and anticipate.
  3. Understanding of non-verbal communication and the ability to express oneself
  4. Ability to identify and communicate with the elements that affect one's own performance, and understanding the framework of health in the aspects of exercise, sleep, and nutrition

Other Philosophical Roots

Monism

Rooted mainly in Gibs & Sartre in 2006 this philosophical theory views physical literacy as an appreciation of the individual as a holistic being viewing the body as an object-- somewhat removed from the real person.[2] This theory should be looking at teaching individuals from the point of a learner rather than working from a starting point of teaching an activity.

Existentialism

Originally founded by Levins, Lewotin, and Burkitt this philosophical view looks at how learning should be seen as interaction with situations and settings with other people.[3] The nature of the demands in terms of challenge and breath should match one's competence.

Phenomenology

This philosophy was mainly talked upon by Gallager who examined the reality of differences between learners. [4] Each individual will see, appreciate and understand a situation or environment based on experience.

Three Main Considerations

  1. Sensitive appreciation, respect
  2. Experience should positively impact future perceptions
  3. Evaluate the success of a lesson from the perspective of the individual's experiences

Modern Philosophy

Since 1993 to the present day, much has been done to advance physical literacy. Research has been conducted on Physical Literacy and presented at conferences around the world. In addition, the book Physical Literacy: throughout the life course was written and numerous conferences and workshops have been delivered, to train educators, parents, health practitioners, early childhood educators, coaches, and more. It is a novel name given to the concept of Physical Culture, known in Eastern European countries.[5]

Components of Physical Literacy

1. Fundamental Movement Skills

This is the basis of movement and varies from movement patterns as this looks at the basis of skills and muscle memory. Most fundamental movement skills are considered as building blocks and are learned from a young age. Some of the main categories include;[6]

2. Foundation Sport Skills

6 Elements of Physical Literacy Competence

There are a variety of movement patterns that can become more specialized to attend to specific sports and activities.

Some of the main categories include;

Movement patterns:

Movement patterns are more specific than movement skills and can relate to any sport and also develop from a young age.

The concept of physical literacy has been developed over many years. It is seen, by a growing number of people, as the goal of the school subject, physical education. However, whilst this is extremely relevant, it is important to recognize that physical literacy is not restricted to the school years – it is relevant throughout the life course. In this respect, six phases of physical literacy have been identified: infancy, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, adulthood, and older adulthood.[2]

Over the past few years, there has been considerable interest, worldwide, in the concept of physical literacy. In Great Britain, several local authorities have adopted it as an overall guiding principle for their work in school-based physical education. In countries such as Northern Ireland and Canada, physical literacy has been the focus of considerable rethinking in respect of children’s physical development and has consequently been the inspiration behind the development of new programs. In India this principle has been adapted by Sportism for training the Indian kids on the basis of Physical literacy concepts.[3][4]

However, there have been a number of interpretations of the concept that have moved away from the central tenets of physical literacy. For example, in some instances physical literacy has been the name given to a program of fundamental movement skills, implying that the concept is solely about the acquisition of physical competence. Other interpretations have focused on knowledge and understanding, particularly in the context of the game. Both these scenarios include elements of physical literacy but do not represent the whole story.[5]

Importance for Children's Development

Relationship to Physical Fitness

Physical Activity Engagement

  1. Important to promote early and regular physical activity
  2. Use strategies that are age dependent on promoting healthy lifestyles and habits

Knowledge and Understanding

  1. Teaching health-related fitness concepts to kids from teachers and parents
  2. Engaging in a conversation of anatomy and physiology

Motivation and Coaching

  1. Implementing strategies that use psychological factors to influence physical activity and participation
  2. Using strategies to build motivation and self confidence/competence

Developmental Stages of Physical Literacy

There are a variety of different stages and strategies for children to promote physical activity when referring to the ages of 0-14.[7]

Youth Recreation and Sport

Early Childhood (0-5): Motor Skill Development Milestones

This section is focused on developing milestones for children that engages a new individual in fun and basic physical activity.

During this stage, it is important to look at play-based activities. A child and toddler are more likely to enact activities into a daily routine if it is fun and basic in terms of skill level and equipment required. It is important to have devices & accessories available at this stage for children with a disability to have additional mobility aids. Also providing more fitness to those who have sensory disabilities as it can take longer to develop movement skills.

Childhood (6-12): Acquisition of Fundamental Movement Skills

A stage that is well structured focusing on agility, balance, coordination, speed, and rhythmic activities. Also known as the FUNdamental stage as children are looking to advance their skills in multiple sports and activities. Some of the main goals for this stage include:

Adolescence (13-18): Refinement

Near this age, many of the habits and abilities have been developed at least on a basic level. Many children at this age will be in different skill levels depending on if they are "early" or "late" developers. Some key reminders at this stage include:

Adults & Physical Literacy

Physical Literacy in Adulthood

It becomes even more important for children to develop strong habits at a young age for physical literacy to come seamlessly when entering adulthood. Similar to young adolescents the Government of Canada outlines some of the best guidelines to maintain physical literacy when entering adulthood.[8]

Benefits of Physical Literacy

Physical Health Benefits

Cognitive Benefits

Social and Emotional Benefits

Long Term Implications

Attributes

A physically literate individual will display the following attributes:[5]

Physical Literacy Worldwide

Canada

One element of physical literacy is the mastering of basic human movements, fundamental movement skills and fundamental sport skills that permit a child to read their environment and make appropriate decisions, allowing them to move confidently and with control in a wide range of physical activity situations. Physical literacy is the foundation of long-term participation and performance to the best of one’s ability. Physical Literacy is the cornerstone of both participation and excellence in physical activity and sport. Ideally, physical literacy is developed prior to the adolescent growth spurt.[6]

Fundamental Movement Skills and Fundamental Sport Skills

Fundamental movement skills play a significant role in a child’s physical development. When a child is confident and competent in these skills, children can develop sport-specific and complex movement skills as well as enjoy a long life of physical activity.[7] To become physically literate children need to master the 13 fundamental movement skills:[8]

The Locomotor and Body Skills:

The Sending Skills

The Receiving Skills

The daily activities

These skills can be developed through the four following activities: athletics, gymnastics, swimming, and skating, slip, and slide movements.[9] Each skill will involve a series of developmental stages that the child will go through in order to master that particular skill. Fundamental Sport Skills involve using Fundamental Movement Skills in a sport specific setting (i.e. a child can kick a ball, this is a Fundamental Movement Skill; when she kicks a penalty kick in a soccer game, she has used this skill as a Fundamental Sport Skill, the skill of kicking a penalty kick).[10] These skills should be introduced through fun and inclusive games and activities, providing children with positive physical activity experiences, further increasing their confidence, competence, and motivation to be active.

The Four Environments

To develop physical literacy children should learn fundamental movement skills and fundamental sport skills in each of the four basic environments:

  1. On the ground: as the basis for most games, sport, dance and physical activities
  2. In the water: as the basis for all aquatic activities
  3. On snow and ice: as the basis for all winter sliding activities
  4. In the air: basis for gymnastics, diving and other aerial activities[8][10]

People with Disabilities

Everyone deserves the right to have opportunities to develop physical literacy. Although not all people with a disability will pursue physical activity or sport, they should still be provided with the same opportunities to learn fundamental movement skills, fundamental sport skills, and become active for life.[11] There are both many opportunities and challenges that people with permanent disabilities experience in pursuing sport and physical activity. As a result, many resources have been created to support coaches, educators, recreation leaders, health practitioners, and parents in accommodating the needs of all participants to have increased physical activity and positive experiences.[12]

References

  1. ^ "About". IPLA. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  2. ^ Whitehead, M; Murdoch, E (2006). Physical Education Matters. 1 (1). ISSN 1751-0988. ((cite journal)): Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ "Sportism - Multi-Sports Training". www.sportism.co.in. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  4. ^ TImes, Adyar (May 22, 2016). "Multi-Sport Programme for Children" – via News Paper.
  5. ^ a b Almond, L; Whitehead, M (2012). "Physical Literacy: Clarifying the Nature of the Concept". Physical Education Matters. 7 (1). ISSN 1751-0988.
  6. ^ Physical Literacy, Canadian Sport for Life
  7. ^ "What are Fundamental Movement Skills? | Coaching Association of Canada". www.coach.ca. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  8. ^ a b Balyi, I., Way, R., Norris, S., Cardinal, C. & Higgs, C. (2005). Canadian sport for life: Long‐term athlete development resource paper. Vancouver, BC: Canadian Sport Centres.
  9. ^ "Physical Literacy". Sport for Life. 2016-06-22. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  10. ^ a b Higgs, C., Balyi, I. & Way, R. (2008). Developing physical literacy: A guide for parents of children ages 0 to 12: A supplement to Canadian sport for life. Vancouver, BC: Canadian Sport Centres.
  11. ^ "People with Disabilities". Physical Literacy. 2017-10-27. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  12. ^ "INCLUSIVE PHYSICAL LITERACY". Physical Literacy. Retrieved 2019-02-03.

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