Please note that for all ages, the emphasis should be on fun primarily through active free play and deliberate play.
Primary (grades K-3)
- Movements should be exploratory and fun as students at this stage are often creative, imaginative, and enjoy being dramatic.
- Students at this stage generally have short attention spans, and can have limited ability to concentrate. Tasks/activities should be changed often, and rotated with variety.
- There is a need for step-by-step teaching in a variety of learning experiences. Many students are exploring new fundamental movement skills at this stage.
- Students at this stage tend to always want to be involved in any activities taking place.
- Students at this stage also tend to have a lack of regard for safety. There is a need to introduce the concept of self-responsibility and safety through experiences predicting danger in familiar environments.
Junior (grades 4-6)
- Children at this age tend to be most interested in joining an organized sport. Specializing in only one sport should not typically occur at this age.
- Children at this age are particularly vulnerable to anxiety and being “put-down” (shamed); thus they need authentically affirming experiences.
- Most children have mastered fundamental movement skills yet need to continue to refine their abilities like agility, balance, and coordination. Integrating fundamental movement skills into movement combinations (e.g., run, jump and throw) and dance, games, and gymnastics can be particularly useful.
Intermediate (grades 7-9)
- Learners at this age can be highly different. For example, some are more physically mature than others (two years earlier on average for girls than boys).
- Their self-esteem and mood can be particularly vulnerable during this developmental phase.
- Interacting with and being accepted by peers becomes more important.
- The media (TV, social media, movies, magazines) can be particularly influential at this age.
- Some might want to participate in organized sport emphasizing more deliberate (structured, goal-oriented) practice.
- Some choose to specialize in one or more sports.
- Try to minimize harmful social comparisons and discipline privately and relationally.
- Maintaining positive (safe, trustworthy and open) relationships with significant others while maintaining appropriate independence is particularly important.
Senior (grades 10-12)
- Students’ movement, values and interests are more personal and specialized at this age. Their capability to access activities more independently (access to transportation) also increases.
- Their schedule often becomes busier with work, school and other commitments so many tend to become more anxious about the future and less physically active.
- Some choose to participate in organized (highly structured) team sport although most begin to prefer recreational, sport, and/or adventure activities that they can perform on their own or in small groups.
- Students may desire to regularly assess their level of fitness and maintain personal physical literacy or wellness contracts with specific short- and long-term goals.
- Participating with peers can enhance motivation and accountability for maintaining goals.
- It may be important for this age group to maintain or rediscover the joys of unstructured play.