About Physical Literacy
About Physical Literacy
How to keep active, stay healthy and improve physical literacy
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of our daily physical activity routines with the closure of playgrounds, sport fields, community facilities, parks and public spaces. Being active is an important part of our physical and mental health and regularly activity can improve your quality of life. Here are some games, activities and tips on how to exercise, develop physical literacy and stay healthy during the current coronavirus pandemic as a family.
Stay at Home Challenge - Physical Literacy Week
Visit the Richmond Connects page for full contest rules.
What is physical literacy?
Physical Literacy Info-graphic
42 Activities to keep kids busy while parents work
GoGirlGo Parents' Guide
55 Activities for Kids
Appetite to Play
OPHEA
YMCA - YGym Virtual Physical Activity for Kids
BOKS Kids Canada
Jump Gymnastics
49 Fun physical activities to do with kids ages 2 to 4
Cosmic Kids Yoga YubeTube Channel
Sidewalk Chalk Games
DefinitionPhysical 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)
Who is it for?
Everyone benefits from physical literacy! The City of Richmond is targeting 2 to 12 year of age as these ages are ideal for children to develop fundamental movement skills.
Why is it important?
A variety of acquired movement skills lead to an increase in confidence, participation, enjoyment and opportunities to connect and socialize. This is the foundation for an active life.
Goal of the Physical Literacy Initiative
Every child in Richmond from 2 to 12 years old will have the opportunity to develop both physical literacy and games literacy.
Physical Literacy Myth
Not all children will automatically become physically literate and acquire the skills needed to participate in a variety of games and sports. Although some children will seek out and develop some of their skills on their own from the opportunities provided to them, many are not provided those same opportunities, most likely resulting in stopping their physical activities when they are no longer able to keep up.
Fundamental Movement Skills
These basic movement skills are taught through games and activities that engage and motivate children to continue in an activity. While these basic skills are fun in nature, they also serve the purpose of teaching the essential skills required as a foundation for more complex physical activities and sports. It is important that all children develop a good base of these skills before puberty to optimize both future performance and lifelong activity. The City of Richmond is currently promoting 25 Fundamental Movement Skills, which children can learn, develop and practice at City facilities and in the community.
Throughout the Guide, look for the Physical Literacy logo next to the programs that cover a minimum of one of the promoted 25 Fundamental Movement Skills and includes a warm up activity with Physical Literacy elements.
Six Key Fundamental Skills
The City of Richmond has highlighted these six fundamental movement skills that are strategic for children to develop. These movement skills will help them develop additional movements and sport skills that will give children the confidence to participate in a variety of games, activities and sports or engage in active free play.
6 Key Fundamental Movement Skills
City of Richmond Recreation and Sport Strategy
The Recreation and Sport Strategy mandates a new direction in the goals and visions of Richmond’s community-based activity programs. The vision of the strategy is: “Richmond is a leader in the planning and delivery of recreation and sport opportunities, inspiring individuals and communities to be active, connected and healthy for a life time.” It envisions the community of Richmond as a Sport For Life model for Canada and the world. “Every individual in Richmond, regardless of age, will be physically literate and have the fundamental movement and sport performance skills to enjoy sport and physical activity to the best of their ability.”
In order to achieve these goals, the Recreation and Sport Strategy is built upon the philosophy and framework of the Canadian Sport for Life Long Team Athlete Development (LTAD) model.
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Live 5-2-1-0 Playbox
Live 5-2-1-0 Playboxes offer parents and caregivers new ideas on how to play with their kids supplying the necessary games and sports equipment and providing unlimited access and opportunity for families to get outdoors and engage with other families through active play. Playboxes help to enhance environments and remove some of the barriers to access for active outdoor play, as well as foster social connectedness. Check out the Live 5-2-1-0 webpage for more information and where to find Playboxes in Richmond.
Physical Literacy Street Team
Catch, jump, throw, run – kids can play and improve their physical literacy skills all summer long by participating in a series of free, fun and inclusive activities at various Richmond events. The City of Richmond’s Physical Literacy Street Team attended the following local events this past summer.
2019 Previous Events:
- Thursday, July 11 - Steveston Community Picnic: 5:00-7:00pm at Steveston Community Park
- Wednesday, August 14 - Getting Kids Active Presentation: 9:30-11:30am at Richmond Public Library Kids’ Room
- Wednesday, August 14 - Cambie Fun Night: 5:00-7:30pm at King George Park
- Thursday, August 15 - Thompson Fun in the Park: 6:00-7:00pm, Thompson Community Centre Park
- Wednesday, August 28 - Summer West Fest: 5:30-8:30pm: West Richmond Community Centre North Oval Field
- Friday, August 30 - Richmond World Festival: 4:00-10:00pm at Minoru Park
- Saturday, August 31 - Richmond World Festival: 12:00-8:00pm at Minoru Park
For questions and inquiries on the City of Richmond's physical literacy initiatives, email: physicalliteracy@richmond.ca
Learn More!
Need more information or just want to learn more about Physical Literacy? Check out the list of informative links below.
City of Richmond Resources
Physical Literacy Fact Sheet
Recreation and Sport Strategy
Physical Literacy Aquatics Diagram
Physical Literacy Arenas Diagram
Physical Literacy Skills Diagram
Physical Literacy Activity Guide
Physical Literacy Info-graphic
Physical Literacy Activities at Home
Canada Sport for Life Resources
Movement Preparation Poster
Movement Preparation Guide
Canada Sport for Life Website
Canada Sport for Life - What is Physical Literacy
Canada Sport for Life - Facing COVID-19 Together
Helpful Resources
ParticiPACTION
OPHEA Youtube videos on Physical Literacy
Healthy Opportunities for Preschoolers
Canadian Physical Activities Guidelines
Active Schools BC
Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute
PHE Canada
Active for Life
FREE APP for Active Kids
Women's Sport Foundation