Physical Literacy: FUNdamentals

June 29, 2017

In our previous physical literacy blog post, we learned about the Active Start stage. This is the first stage of physical literacy development, focusing on children age 0-6. The second stage in the physical literacy pipeline is FUNdamentals. This stage focuses on developing fundamental movement skills (fms) in children ages 6-9 (boys) and 6-8 (girls).

FUNdamentals involves skill development in three key areas, locomotor skills, body/stability skills, and object/manipulative skills.  These three categories encompass basic movements that become the foundation for sports skills and the movements we make in our daily lives.

FMS are not the only factors of the FUNdamental stage. Notice that the first three letters of “FUNdamentals” are capitalized. No, that’s not a typo, fun is a key element in a successful physical literacy program. Children are more likely to pursue opportunities for physical activity if they view it as play. If it becomes an obligation or a chore, kids will be less likely to adopt physically active habits as they age. That’s why Canadian Sport for Life, an agency that promotes sport opportunities for Canadians of all ages and skill levels, recommends “a combination of unstructured play in a safe and challenging environment.” In other words, simply providing the opportunity for children to be active, combined with a small amount of guidance and a large amount of room for their own creativity is the best way to help children develop fundamental movement skills.

For more information, or resources for ways you can help your kids develop physical literacy, check out the links below.

Active for Life Lesson Plans and Resources

Active for Life – “We need to help our kids develop movement skills”

Coaching Ireland – Fundamental Movements Skills and Physical Literacy