What is Physical Literacy?

Physical literacy is the “motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life”

-International Physical Literacy Association

Most of us are familiar with the term language literacy. It means we are able to use our language actively and passively in a variety of ways including reading, writing, and speaking. Similarly, the term physical literacy means that we are able to move our bodies with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities across multiple environments (1).

Physical literacy is important to all of us, all across the lifespan from infant to older adults. Infants are just learning to crawl, walk and hold items whereas older adults are trying to preserve their ability to lift, reach and bend to help maintain their independence and perform activities of daily living as they age. And while physical literacy looks different at every age of the lifecycle, for young children it is focused on gaining independence to become healthy, active adolescents.

Studies show that skilled preschoolers make active adolescents!

The Young Child and Physical Literacy

A young child who is physically literate is one who has the motivation confidence, knowledge, skills, and fitness necessary to enjoy a physically active lifestyle AND who is committed to healthy habitual movement behaviors, including recommended regular physical activity and limited sedentary behavior (2).

This includes factors like:

Physical Activity - body movement that enhances health and increases energy expenditure
Fundamental Movement Skills - building blocks for basic movement such as balance, locomotor (run, jump, hop, skip), non-locomotor (twist, spin, bend, lift, swinging), and object control (throw, catch, kick)
Perceptual Motor Development - hand-eye coordination (hitting a baseball), spatial awareness (moving high, low, forward, backward), brain to body connection (right hand touches left knee), and speed (fast vs slow)
Capacity - knowledge, competency and understanding
Motivation - enthusiasm to try new activities and be active on a daily basis
Confidence - self-reliance and assuredness that he/she is able to move and be physically active

Factors that Influence Physical Literacy

Just as there are barriers to developing language literacy such as lack of education, limited exposure, socio-economic disparities, etc., there are also barriers to mastering physical literacy. A number of factors can limit a child’s ability to live a healthy active life. These factors include genetic makeup, gender, ethnicity or race. Sometimes families have certain stigmas or societal norms about playing sports (e.g. “girls shouldn’t play ball”). Some children may not come from athletic or active families that support their interest. Children may have economic limitations and some activities are expensive (uniforms, registration, transportation, etc.). Others may have chronic conditions such as asthma or visual or hearing disabilities. Weather conditions or how far a child lives from the park or playground can be a barrier. Or maybe the playgrounds and parks aren’t perceived by the parent as safe. All of these conditions or limitations can hinder a child’s ability to be a healthy, active child and adolescent.

What Can I Do Promote Physical Literacy?

Provide planned activities with a specific goal or purpose in mind. Planned physical activity lessons have been shown to produce higher levels of physical activity in children; find fun and engaging ways to reinforce fundamental movement skills and perceptual motor development (such as organized games). Visit the Healthy Kids Resource Center for fun activities & games.
Expose children to a variety of opportunities including those outside traditional sports (such as dance, karate, or gymnastics) to help children find activities they enjoy. Avoid early specialization (limiting a young child to one sport) as it can cause related stress. Try as many activities that the child is excited about. Be creative with children who have limitations. Children with disabilities and chronic illness are often more motivated than their able-bodied peers. Therefore, it is necessary to find or adapt activities to match children's abilities.
Support the child’s interests. Avoid the simple “go out and play” approach. Instead, be a role model. Engage in activities with the child and include the whole family. Even if you aren’t athletic, children love to compete with adults and it’s ok if they win!
Look for available free and discounted community resources that provide physical activities(such as after school programs, Boys and Girls Club, Parks and Rec Centers, YMCA, 4-H, etc.)
Create indoor opportunities such as dancing and playing active games (especially if safety and weather are a concern).

Physical literacy is a journey that everyone takes throughout their life. It is not something one does or does not have, nor something one does or does not do. It is the individual’s lived experience of physical activity.

References

Physical Literacy in the United States: A Model, Strategic Plan and Call to Action. The Aspen Institute Project Play.
Longmuir & Tremblay (2016). Top 10 Research Questions Related to Physical Literacy. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. VOL. 87, NO. 1, 28–35

Lindsay, A. and Byington, T. 2020, What Is Physical Literacy? | Early Start, Active for Life, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-13

Printable Version (PDF)

Learn more about the author(s)

Teresa Byington

Anne R. Lindsay

Also of Interest:


*A Balanced Diet* A balanced diet gives your body all of the essential nutrients it needs to stay active, healthy, and strong. Learn how you can balance your diet to get the energy you need throughout the day. Buffington, A., Lindsay, A. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-106
*Healthy Kids Resource Center: Policies, Procedures & Partners Section* Find links to Federal and State policies and regulations Lindsay, A. and Taylor, S. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno

Associated Programs

Kids and leader dancing with colored scarves in a classroom

Healthy Kids Resource Center

A one-stop shop for evidence-based research, resources, curricula, activities and materials that focus on obesity prevention for teachers and parents of young children. It is designed to educate parents and teachers as well as provide the tools needed to teach young children how to live a healthy lifestyle.

What Is Physical Literacy? | Early Start, Active for Life