Australian Journal of Teacher Education
Abstract
While the known health impacts of sedentary lifestyles have focused attention on children’s outdoor activity, the development of their physical literacy – the physiological, social, cultural, cognitive, expressive, and psychological dimensions of their physicality – is much less in focus.
Developing children’s physical literacy is embedded in the Early Years Learning Framework and Primary curriculum: Health and Physical Education, and the performing arts subjects within The Arts. This study asks “How well prepared are pre-service teachers to implement a program that contributes to developing children’s physical literacy?”
This mixed methods study includes an environmental scan of BEd courses at 12 Australian universities; and at one university, a content analysis of units, a review of 227 students’ practicum records, and an online survey of 57 pre-service teachers.
The study finds that pre-service teachers are generally well-informed, committed and confident but have limited diagnostic and practical pedagogical skills to effectively develop children’s physical literacy.
Recommended Citation
Dinham, J., & Williams, P. (2019). Developing Children’s Physical Literacy: How well prepared are prospective teachers?. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 44(6). https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2018v44n6.4
Included in
Art Education Commons, Early Childhood Education Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Elementary Education Commons, Health and Physical Education Commons, Outdoor Education Commons, Pre-Elementary, Early Childhood, Kindergarten Teacher Education Commons