According to the International Physical Literacy Association (IPLA), physical literacy is "the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life."  In other words, it's having the skills, enthusiasm and confidence to maintain an active lifestyle throughout life.  It means people have the toolbox of skills to understand how their bodies move in a variety of different activities.  

If you've ever seen someone who can go from one sport or fitness activity to another with ease and confidence, they have physical literacy.  They may not be the best on the field, but they are comfortable with the different movements that those different sports or activities require.  In addition, they choose to be active on a regular basis.  Physical activity is part of their lifestyle.

When a child is taught a variety of skills in different settings through a variety of physical activities, they build the confidence and motivation to take part in physical activity throughout their lives.  

Physical literacy helps kids build body awareness and movement they can transfer to many different sports and activities.  When kids are aware of and understand how their bodies move, they develop self-confidence they can apply throughout their lives.  They're not afraid to try new sports or new fitness activities.

Unfortunately, childhood obesity is on the rise.  Children are spending more time inside sitting watching tv or using electronic devices.  Because they're spending more time doing sedentary activities and less time taking part in physical activities, kids are lacking physical literacy.  Parents may notice their kids have trouble balancing, standing up from a sitting position or squatting down to pick something up.  These are just a few examples of the effects we may be seeing in kids. 

When kids lack these basic physical skills, this can cause them to lack the self confidence they need to take part in athletic or fitness activities.  They feel safer sticking to more sedentary activities.  We know well, the more time people spend sitting, the higher the chances are for obesity and the underlying health conditions that come with it.

In order to help build physical literacy in our children, we need to introduce kids to a variety of sports and physical activities from a young age.  Let them try baseball, football, soccer and anything else they may be interested in.   A lot of parents feel they need to have their kids stick to one sport in order for them to build the skills they need to become great athletes.  In reality, most kids stop taking part in competitive sports by 7th grade.  If they have only been exposed to one sport, they may lack the confidence to try anything else.  For many, that is the end of their physical activity.  If we let them try different sports, they develop a variety of skills they can apply throughout their lives and build confidence to continue physical activity beyond their youth. 

Something else we can do to build physical literacy in kids is to help them build different skills not specific to a sport.  Climbing, hopping, skipping, pushing and pulling movements.  These are all things people need to learn and develop in order to develop body awareness which leads to physical literacy.  Play is an excellent way for kids to develop many of these non-sport specific skills and movements.  We can provide opportunities for our kids to get up and play in physical ways.  Going to the playground, playing tag, hide and seek or other similar games, taking part in fitness classes that incorporate a variety of movements are all ways to help our kids develop physical literacy.

In addition to teaching kids the skills, we need to be good role models.  If our kids see important adults in their lives being active and making activity part of their lifestyle, they'll see the importance and want to do the same for themselves.   

So, let's get them out there moving their bodies and having fun because our kids need it, now more than ever. 

2020 has been quite a year so far.  If you have children, it’s been an especially interesting and challenging time, to say the least.  One thing that’s been on my mind is my children’s level of activity.  It’s something I think about nearly every day! 
 
Usually, when they’re in school, they go to PE every day for 45 minutes.  They go to recess for another 20 minutes.  In addition, my 2 younger boys play basketball at our local YMCA.  In school they move throughout the day from their classroom, to the cafeteria, to the library, and so on.  At home, during this time, it’s a different story.  Their regular movement is much less throughout the day, and with sports at a standstill, playgrounds off limits and many other places such as museums and zoos closed, it is quite a challenge to get them moving and keep them active.  Not to mention, the electronics!
 
A lot of us are feeling overwhelmed already having to try to work either from home or away, keeping them fed, attempting to keep some kind of “normal” in our lives, keeping the house organized…The list goes on and on.  So, thinking of our kids’ fitness may sometimes seem as just one more thing to worry about. 
“Is it that big a deal?”  Some of us may ask ourselves.  How much do they really need to move?  How important is it? 
 
Well, not to stress you out, but it really is quite important.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), children should participate in 60 minutes of physical activity throughout the day, including moderate to vigorous exercise.  This is just a minimum!  But there are benefits to it.  Benefits that may actually help relieve stress for families at home during this time.  So, while it may seem like one more thing we have to worry about, making it happen may actually make things easier on us.
 
Here is a list of  benefits of physical activity for our kids:

• Physical activity helps our kids develop strong bones, muscles and joints.
• They develop a strong heart and lungs as well.
• It helps in the development of coordination and movement control.
• Kids maintain a healthy weight when they participate in regular physical activity.
• It helps them improve control over anxiety and depression.
• It’s a good way for kids to develop strong social skills, self-confidence and self-expression.
• Studies also show that it helps kids develop other healthy habits including avoiding alcohol and drugs and eating healthful foods more often.
• Kids who are physically active show higher academic performance in school.
• They are better able to focus as well.
• Exercise has also been shown to improve sleep health.  Kids get a better night’s sleep when they’ve been physically active throughout the day.
• Physical activity also helps our kids feel empowered to tackle life's challenges as they come.  
• Our kids become stronger physically and mentally!

 
Remember too, it doesn’t all have to be done at once.  Quick short bouts of activity actually work better for kids.  Especially if they’re younger.  We all know how hard it is to keep younger kids’ attention on one activity.
 
So, if your kids may be spending a lot of time sitting watching tv or playing video games (as mine have done much more of during this time!), you can start small.  Over time, you can increase time and frequency to help them get used to it in a way that doesn’t seem overwhelming.  Before you know it, your kiddos will be moving, feeling better physically and mentally, and may even be asking for more!