Taking A Look At Physical Literacy

Literacy is no longer used to just define reading and writing. People have to be computer literate, fiscally literate, and even physically literate to survive in the world. It is important for people to be literate in all aspects of life. With the rising epidemic of childhood obesity, physical literacy has emerged within the last 30 years. Dr. Whitehead of the International Physical Literacy Association defines physical literacy as “the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life” (Whitehead, 2014). Physical literacy helps children to learn and develop fundamental movement skills and sport skills. It is critical for a child to know

The knowledge of knowing skills and games are helpful to the confidence of students when participating in recreational sports. Today many P.E. teachers are just rolling out the ball. In the discipline of physical education, rolling out the ball (R.O.B) is robbing students of proper physical education. Physical educators should be concerned about who the students will become just as much as what the students know and do. One of the aspects of physical literacy is developing character in students. Physical education is a great opportunity to build character in children through teaching life skills within physical activity. Dr. Margaret Whitehead developed seven critical elements that are essential to a students’ physical literacy development in physical education programs. The number one critical element is on building character in a child. Dr. Whitehead states, “A positive attitude towards physical activity through having experience a sense of achievement and enjoyment in the subject”(Whitehead, 2013). A physical education class provides opportunities for students to work together on various activities. As a result, this provides an atmosphere that cultivates character through life skills. UNICEF defines life skills as “psychosocial abilities for adaptive and positive behavior that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life”(UNICEF, 2003). Students

It is well known about the health benefits of physical activity, but physical education can have cognitive benefits as well. In physical education there are three different domains of learning. One of those domains is the cognitive domain of learning. According to Jane Shimon the cognitive domain addresses the thinking, or knowledge-based, components of physical education (Shimon, 2011). In the recent years many physical education programs have been cut due to budget strains or to make more time for standardize testing preparation. Since the No Child Left Behind Act passed in 2001, physical education has been de-emphasized in school districts around the country. Many school districts and administrators do not see the benefits that physical education can have in the regular classroom. Throughout the years there have been studies showing that participating in physical activities can increase blood flow to the brain, resulting in improvements to mental alertness and intellectual functioning for both youth and adults. (Colombe and Kramer 2003; Hiliman et al. 2009; Sibley and Etnier 2003). The cognitive benefits of physical education also have a connection between physical activity, and academic achievement, improvements in attendance and less disruptive behavior. Even with evidence of the benefits that physical education can offer; many programs are still being cut. In 2012, according to the Centers