All about Movement Education and Fundamental Movement Skills

1. Movement
Education
What is it? - Why do we use this?- How do we use this?
Elizabeth Beazley - 18315396

2. What is Movement
Education?
 Movement Education supports the development of
children to use active games that are taught through
movement-based approaches to develop skills physically
and intellectually. (Sevimli-Celik & Johnson, 2016)
 Movement Education provides meaningful learning
experiences for children and are student-centered, non-
competitive and success-orientated to help build skills for
future use (Tinning & Lisahunter, 2006).

3. Fundamental Movement Skills
 These are the skills that children need when playing
games, sports and physical activities. They are the
starting point for movement and can include:
 Locomotor skills, such as the run, jump, hop, skip, gallop,
leap and dodge
 Non-Locomotor skills, which include the static balance,
bend, sway, twist and turn
 Manipulative skills, such as the catch, throw and kick (NSW
DET, 2000).
Developing these skills first and foremost can allow for
advancement with other skills that are sport-specific.

4. Why do we teach this?
 In order for students to enjoy and pursue sports and
physical activities, students need to first attain and
master fundamental movement skills (Achterstraat,
2012).
 In all areas of the curriculum, it is important that we have
the fundamental skills mastered so that we can advance
in our learning.
 Without Movement Education and the use of
fundamental movement skills, it is possible that children
can have delays in gross motor skills and their
development (Lubans et. Al, 2010).

5. Importance of Movement
Education
 Unfortunately, the development of fundamental
movement skills is not a natural occurrence and thus
needs to be taught at children grow and is necessary for
it to be continually taught and encouraged.
 Movement skills allow for other sports such as dance,
gymnastics etc to be developed into once the
fundamentals have been mastered.
 “The quality of movement is further enhanced through
exploring, composing, performing and appreciating
movement” (Board of Studies, 2007).

6. Looking at the PDHPE Syllabus..
 When students participate in PDHPE programs, it can initiate
the knowledge and skills to live a healthy lifestyle that can lead
to better health as well as maintaining and achieving greater
wellbeing in physical, social and spiritual needs.
 PDHPE programs support movement skills and the acquiring
of them which can develop and maintain a positive attitude
towards completing physical activity and maintaining a healthy
lifestyle.
 Experts do agree that all of us should be completing at least
30 minutes of exercise daily in order for us to stay healthy
(Board of Studies, 2007).

7. References
Achterstraat, P. (2012). Physical activity in government primary schools. Sydney,
Australia: Audit Office of New South Wales, Department of Education and
Communities.
Board of Studies, NSW. (2007). Personal development, health and physical
education K-6: Syllabus. Sydney, Australia: Author.
Lubans, D. R., Morgan, P. J., Cliff, D. P., Barnett, L. M., & Okely, A. D. (2010).
Fundamental movement skills in children and adolescents: Review of associated
health benefits. Sports Medicine, 40(12), 1019-1035.
NSW Department of Education and Training. (2000). Get skilled: Get active: A K-6
resource to support the teaching of fundamental movement skills. Ryde, Australia:
Author.
Sevimli-Celik, S., Johnson, J. (2016) Teacher preparation for movement education:
increasing pre-service teachers’ competence for working with young children. Asia-
Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 44:3, 274-288