Physical literacy at school: Disabilities teaching resource
When it comes to physical literacy and activity, one of the greatest challenges facing children with disabilities is simply the opportunity to participate. A new teaching resource for Canadian elementary schools is set to change that.
In September 2014, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and PHE Canada officially unveiled the new FUNdamentals Physical Literacy Resource at an elementary school in North York, Ontario. Sloane Public School was one of 42 schools that had already participated in the 1-year pilot project to develop and test the resource.
Paralympians Victoria Nolan and Josh Dueck provided a bit of star appeal during the official launch. Nolan was also one of the authors of the resource.
Nolan said she wished that these kinds of resources had existed when she was in school. She grew up visually impaired.
“As a child, I wasn’t able to participate in sports. I just thought it was something I couldn’t do. As I got older, my self-esteem started to plummet,” said Nolan.
Sloane teacher Beth Ritchie said she found the resource easy to use. She used it to teach her students inclusive sports activities such as boccia, sitting volleyball, and goalball during the one-year pilot.
“As a child, I wasn’t able to participate in sports. I just thought it was something I couldn’t do. As I got older, my self-esteem started to plummet.”
The ultimate purpose of the resource is to make physical education classes inclusive for children of all abilities. It’s available for schools across Canada.
Parents and teachers are encouraged to learn more about the new FUNdamentals Physical Literacy Resource by visiting the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s resource website.
With quality opportunities to learn and practice FUNdamental movement skills, children of all abilities can dramatically increase their physical literacy.
