Physical Literacy
What is Physical Literacy and why should it matter?
Just as learning the alphabet is necessary to read, the development of fundamental movement skills
and fundamental sport skills is critical if children are to feel good about physical activity.
The ABCs-Agility, Balance, Coordination and Speed are the four skills that underpin physical literacy.
Physical Literacy is the mastering of 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. It supports 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. It has been adopted as the foundation of the Sport for Life concept in Canada.
Parents, caregivers, coaches, and teachers all play a role in the development of our children’s physical literacy. If these people do not fulfill their roles, we will not succeed.
Children should learn fundamental movement skills and fundamental sport skills in each of the four
basic environments:
- On the ground–as the basis for most games, sports, dance and physical activities.
- In the water–as the basis for all aquatic activities.
- On snow and ice–as the basis for all winter sliding activities.
- In the air–basis for gymnastics, diving and other aerial activities.
The myth that it “just happens”
Although many children develop good physical skills on their own, there are many who do not.
Physically skilled children often enjoy vigorous healthy play, while the less skilled are often left out.
This can lead to decreased effort and eventual withdraw from physical activities. Our children need
to learn physical literacy in a wide range of settings and from many different people. However, the
responsibility for developing a physically literate child ultimately rests with parents and guardians.
Source: Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) www.canadiansportforlife.ca
Resources:
Developing physical literacy
Sport for Life has created an easy-to-understand resource about developing physical literacy. This document describes the essential components of physical literacy, outlines how to support the development of physical literacy in all stages of life, and discusses strategies for delivering coordinated physical literacy programs for Canadians of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and abilities.
Page Updated on: February 11, 2021
