Gym class can provide the building blocks for a lifetime of healthy living
Ask a random group of friends about their memories of gym class, and you’ll likely stir up emotions that run deep. From being picked last when teams are formed to being ridiculed by more highly skilled classmates, gym class was anything but fun and games for many people. But there’s more to physical education than learning how to play sports. It’s considered a legitimate part of the educational curriculum, and a qualified physed teacher is tasked with building physical literacy. The end result is a young adult whose physical skills are such that they move and play with confidence, energy and enthusiasm. They ’re quick on their feet, creative and co-ordinated in their movement patterns and transitions, and can integrate various pieces of equipment into their activity. Why are these skills so important? Several studies have linked high levels of physical literacy to a lifelong love of physical activity, expressed by making movement a part of everyday life through structured and non-structured exercise and play. To be clear, physical literacy isn’t just a measure of physicality, but also a learned behaviour. As such, it needs to be developed and nurtured from the first day of school to the last. Throwing a ball into a gymnasium and telling kids to play doesn’t cut it. Nor is its measure calculated by how well you score in a fitness test or whether you get chosen first on a team. An “A” in physical literacy is awarded to those who view physical activity as enjoyable and voluntarily seek out ways to be more active throughout their lifetime. Like reading, writing and arithmetic, physical literacy starts with learning basic foundational skills. Walking, running, skipping, hopping, jumping, throwing, lunging and squatting are considered the ABCS of movement. These skills are further developed by adding changes in speed, direction, elevation and terrain, transfer of weight and elements like balls, bats, ropes and sticks. Similar to other forms of learning, success comes from a well-defined pedagogical path delivered by individuals trained in guiding and encouraging success through all stages of development. Most of these skills are introduced through play during elementary school, with some children picking them up quickly and some requiring more repetition. For those who are slow to develop, homework helps. But unlike other types of homework, parents are less likely to encourage their children to spend extra time improving their physical skills. Playgrounds are underused, and unstructured play has slowly disappeared from kids’ lives, hence the annual report card put out by Participaction giving Canadian kids a D+ in physical literacy. Physical literacy prepares our children for a healthy future, given the strong links between regular exercise and quality of life, overall health and wellness and increased longevity. Yet the importance of physical education as part of a child’s overall development gets lost sometime after elementary school. Statistics suggest the percentage of children who get in the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day drops from 42 per cent to eight per cent as they transition to adolescence. During this same time, attitudes toward gym class change, as it goes from a favourite subject to one that’s often dreaded or avoided. The number of students who sit on the sidelines during high school physed is remarkably higher than the number of children who sit out during Grades 1 through 6. A recent article in a publication of the American College of Sports Medicine reported on an online questionnaire in which 1,028 Americans age 18 to 45 recounted their experiences in gym class. The most frequently reported negative experience was embarrassment, followed by a lack of enjoyment in activities including sports and fitness testing. Also recounted was the unpleasantness of having to change in a locker-room. Most of the negative memories were traced back to Grades 6 through 9. The best memories included time spent with friends, being outside and being allowed to move after long hours spent at a desk. Playing sports and activities of a competitive nature were also mentioned as enjoyable. A small number of respondents stated their most positive memories were skipping class and the day when they were no longer required to take physical education as part of the curriculum. These responses prove that educators and parents need to be reminded of how physical education isn’t just an opportunity to chase a ball. The gym is a classroom where kids learn at different rates and need different strategies to be successful. It’s also a place to learn about sportsmanship, teamwork and leadership, all valuable life skills that should be part of a varied curriculum. With school starting up again, there’s no better time to find out what your child is doing in gym class and to ensure that physical literacy has a place in the curriculum.