Authors

Judith Dinham, Curtin UniversityFollow
Paul Williams, Curtin UniversityFollow

Developing Children’s Physical Literacy: How well prepared are prospective teachers?

Keywords

children's physical literacy, teacher preparation, education, physical 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