How does the document define physical education and health?
How does the document define physical education and health?
This policy outlines the importance of physical health and activity in promoting a future healthy lifestyle, developing gross motor skills, social skill and resilience building,and how this can be targeted through play in the education setting. The author states the requirement of physical activity for children under 5 years old as a minimum of 1 hour structured physical activity, and up to several hours of free play that can be achieved both indoor and outdoor daily. Physical activity is defined as vigorous gross motor movement that increases the heart rate of an individual (Goryl, 2010. Page 1)
What kinds of relationships or approaches to teaching are enabled by this definition? (implications for practice)
This policy has a strong emphasis on a child led play-based learning approach. It states numerous times that children be given the opportunity to engage in free play throughout the day in both indoor and outdoor environments. Various pieces of equipment are outlined, with the added point of making them portable to increase the open-endedness of play that can occur. There is also mention of specific games and activities that teachers can lead, which relate to an intentional teaching or blended teaching approach. (QLD GOV, 2022)
3. Who wrote the document? Who is the document intended for?
This policy doument was written by Ola Goryl, (Early Childhood & OSHC Consultant), It was created for parents and carers, educators and staff and those in the community who attend St Andrews Little Saints Early Learning and OSHC and those in the community who may be interested in the service and its policies.
What images of the child and teacher are present in the document?
Within this policy the teaching relationship is referred to as one of a role model. It outlines implications for staff to participate in physical activity with the children, and demonstrate healthy behaviours while at the service. The policy describes teachers being trained about the benefits of physical activity and the knowledge of how to implement it within the programming is vital to the physical activity goals being reached within the service. Therefore, a social learning theory approach to learning can be used. Social Learning Theory states that interactions between teachers, caregivers and children impacts a child's learning and development. It describes learning as taking place through observation, imitation and role modeling others and the environment. (Nolan & Raban, 2011)
This document also outlines that children are given the opportunity to make decisions about their play and lead their own physical learning. The Montessori approach states that children have the best learning outcomes when they follow their own interests and have the freedom to lead their own education. The Montessori approach, like this policy document, suggests that all children are competent and capable to be able to learn their own interaction with their environments. (ODonnell, 2013)
What understandings of physical education, health and movement are promoted in the document?
The policy describes a variety of ways in which children can reach their physical activity including through a variety of experiences including ball games, outdoor play and dancing. The writer states that the set up of the physical environment plays a significant role in the amount and type of physical activity, play, education and movement that can occur. Outlined as important aspects are; large open
spaces to allow for gross motor movements such as running or bike riding, a clear maintained path that will allow for active exploratory play, a range of hard and soft surfaces for a range of activities, and a variety of equipment that can be used to promote health and activity (balls, blocks, tyres, balance beams etc.) This policy also pays specific mention to electronic devices, suggesting a link between excessive screen time and poorer health outcomes such as obesity and sedentary lifestyles, and therefore promotes limiting the use of devices.
What understandings of physical education, health and movement are silenced or unsaid in the document?
This policy document does not make mention of children's specific developmental level or potential additional support needs that may be required to enable them to be physically active and engaged in their environments. This policy does not include any information regarding nutrition, which is vital to providing children with energy and is important to optimise engagement in physical activity. (ACECQA 2020) This policy also makes no mention of engaging families in developing and maintaining healthy lifestyles for children. This could be done through discussions where families, children and staff can share ideas, experiences, interests, goals and strategies to support childrens physical health outcomes in all environments.
Reference List:
ACECQA, 2020, Guide to the National Quality Framework. Available at: https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-01/Guide-to-the-NQF.pdf
Goryl, D 2010, Physical Activity Policy. St. Andrews Little Saints Early Learning. [Accessed online] https://www.saac.qld.edu.au/sites/default/files/files/Policies/Little%20Saints%20Policies/Physical%20Activity%20Policy%20Updated%20Oct%202014.pdf
Nolan, A 2011, Theories into Practice : Understanding and Rethinking Our Work with Young Children and the EYLF, Essential Resources Educational Publishers Ltd., Melbourne. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [12 August 2022].
O'Donnell, M 2013, Maria Montessori: A Critical Introduction to Key Themes and Debates, Bloomsbury Publishing, London. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [6 August 2022].
QLD GOV, 2022. Griffith University. Department of education and training Age Appropriate Pedagogies Program. Available at: https://earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/earlyYears/Documents/explanation-of-terms.pdf
