Recently, I was privileged to speak with teachers at Richmond School. My presentation followed their sports day; the perfect time to learn more about physical literacy.
 
What’s physical literacy you ask? Physical literacy is about individuals developing the skills and confidence to be active for life. 

The school years are an important development period creating the foundation for future participation and greater wellness. Where are you on your physical literacy journey? It’s not just about kids.

In today’s more sedentary and risk adverse society, children require instruction, repetition and unstructured play to develop the wide variety of movement competencies that are needed to enjoy a good quality of life. 

Think of moving more often, in more ways, in more places. In-class activity breaks refresh and refocus students. Classroom activities also contribute to the children’s recommended daily minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Or take it outside where we know kids will move more. The bonus is that research shows that by combining activity with learning, cognition is increased. 

Learning to move is just as important as the ability to read and write and ActiveForLife.com is a place to go for inspiration and resources:

• Activity ideas
• Lesson Plan Builder 
• 10 Week Modules 
• Instructional and Assessment Videos 
• @ActiveForLife and @AfLresources and Facebook

Thanks to Principal Duncan White and the impressive group of teachers at Richmond School. Thanks also to CBE’s Nadeen Halls who provided curriculum and Comprehensive School Health links. 


Lynn Jobe (@mlejobe) at ActiveforLife.com is committed to advancing the physical literacy movement in Canada. #collaboration 

More than just ‘Gym’

Being part of a student’s opportunity to participate in physical education is a unique and tangible experience and one that I’ve been grateful for over the past three years. The more time I spend with children in a PhysEd setting, I quickly come to learn that students want more than just 'gym'. I continue to discover that children thrive to participate in games that challenge them both physically and mentally, and in activities that have relevance to their everyday lives.

Enter ‘Physical Literacy’

Students of Panorama Hills School see this relevance daily by participating in lessons designed to promote their development of physical literacy. Like the ability to read various forms of text – magazine, newsprint, and digital media – physical literacy is a person’s ability to move confidently and competently in a verity of physical activities.  This certainly isn’t a short-lived journey, rather one that takes time, even years. Climbing ladders, walking on ice, falling and getting back up are all examples of these everyday tasks whose importance I’ve learned reaches far beyond the walls of our school ... and that’s what drives me, our students and many others within our PhysEd community.

Today, like most days, I continue to learn how capable and eager young children are at leading a healthy and active lifestyle and how fortunate I am to be part of this great journey.

@ChrisFenMac is a husband, father and friend. A Learning Leader and Physical Education specialist advocating for quality #PhysEd and whole-school wellness.