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.
Importance of physical literacy for overall well-being:
Social Aesthetic Competition 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: everyone can be physically literate as it is appropriate to each individual's endowment everyone's physical literacy journey is unique physical literacy is relevant and valuable at all stages and ages of life at the heart of the concept is the motivation and commitment to be active the disposition is evidenced by a love of being active, born out of the pleasure and satisfaction individuals experience in participation 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 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. 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:
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 Using movement and confidence in physically challenging situations to adapt and anticipate. Understanding of non-verbal communication and the ability to express oneself 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. 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. 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. Each individual will see, appreciate and understand a situation or environment based on experience.
Three Main Considerations
Sensitive appreciation, respect Experience should positively impact future perceptions 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.
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;
Balance Skills (body remains in one space) Locomotor Skills (running and jumping) Ball Skills (catching, throwing and kicking)
2. Foundation Sport Skills
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;
Adventure Aesthetic Athletic Competitive Fitness and Health Interpersonal/Relational
Movement patterns: General Movement Patterns: sending, striking, and rotating Refined Movement Patterns: throwing, bowling, and shooting Specific Movement Patterns: spin bowling, penalty kick, and somersault
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.
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.
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.
Importance for Children's Development
Relationship to Physical Fitness Physical Activity Engagement
Important to promote early and regular physical activity Use strategies that are age dependent on promoting healthy lifestyles and habits
Knowledge and Understanding
Teaching health-related fitness concepts to kids from teachers and parents Engaging in a conversation of anatomy and physiology
Motivation and Coaching
Implementing strategies that use psychological factors to influence physical activity and participation 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.
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.
Starting with basic fundamental movement skills Provide a couple of hours of active play per day Make play fun and integrate low-moderate fitness activities Enhances the development of brain function, coordination, social skills, and gross motor skills
During this stage, it is recommended to look at play-based activities. A child and toddler are more likely to enact activities into a daily routine if they believe it to be enjoyable and basic in terms of skill level and equipment required. It is recommended to have devices and accessories available at this stage for children with a disability to have additional mobility aids. It is also recommended to provide more fitness activities 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:
playing at least 2-3 different sports 70% practice and 30% games develop endurance keep sport fun and an encouraging activity at all times throughout the year
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:
balance between recreation, organized sports, physical education, and school sport develop habits for lifetime recreation through increased fundamental sports skills with greater ease and efficiency Stick to at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity
Adults & Physical Literacy
Developing strong physical activity habits during childhood is considered important for maintaining physical literacy into adulthood. Similarly to its recommendations for adolescents, the Government of Canada provides guidelines for maintaining physical literacy in adulthood.
exercise at least 150 minutes per week moderate to vigorous activity
Benefits of Physical Literacy Physical Health Benefits
improve your ability to do everyday activities improve your cardiovascular ability
Cognitive Benefits
reduce your risk of cognitive decline, including dementia
Social and Emotional Benefits decreases stress, anxiety, and fatigue Improves confidence and well-being
Long Term Implications
improve muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness improve bone functional health reduce risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer reduce the risk of falls and hip fractures help maintain body weight
Attributes
A physically literate individual will display the following attributes: Physical literacy can be described as a disposition characterised by the motivation to capitalise on innate movement potential to make a significant contribution to the quality of life. All human beings exhibit this potential. However, its specific expression will depend on individuals' endowment in respect of all capabilities, significantly their movement potential, and will be particular to the culture in which they live. Individuals who are physically literate will move with poise, economy and confidence in a wide variety of physically challenging situations Physically literate individuals will be perceptive in 'reading' all aspects of the physical environment, anticipating movement needs or possibilities and responding appropriately to these with intelligence and imagination These individuals will have a well-established sense of self as embodied in the world. This, together with an articulate interaction with the environment, will engender positive self-esteem and self-confidence Sensitivity to and awareness of embodied capability will lead to fluent self-expression through non-verbal communication and to perceptive and empathetic interaction with others