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.