The Myth that it “Just Happens”
How and Where Do Children Become Physically Literate?
Developing physical literacy in our children will take the combined efforts of parents/guardians, day-care providers,schools personnel, community recreation leaders and everyone involved in the Canadian sport system. Each has a role to play if we are to be successful.
While it’s true that many children DO develop good physical skills on their own by trial-and-error, there are many who do not; and for those the consequences can be severe.
Children who are physically skilled often enjoy vigorous healthy play, while the less skilled are often left out. This creates a vicious cycle; those with the skills play, and through that play further develop their fitness and skill. In contrast, those who are less skilled play less, have fewer opportunities to refine and develop their skills, and fall further and further behind their skilled peers. Eventually many of the less skilled children stop trying, and withdraw from physical activities that would help them become fitter and develop their skills.
To prevent this from happening appropriate physical literacy need to be taught to every child in Canada. This teaching needs to occur in a wide range of settings, and, because of this many different people need to be involved. Figure 2 gives some idea of the range of settings and the range of people who need to understand and be able to teach physical literacy skills.
Ultimately the responsibility for developing a physically literate child rests with parents and guardians. Just as parents and guardians ensure their children are in learning situations that result in them having the ability to read, write and do mathematics, they must also ensure their children develop physical literacy.
Figure 2 Who is responsible for Physical Literacy?