What are the hot tips to get your Prep child ready for Physical Education at school?

Physical movement is a terrific way for young people to develop physical, mental, social and emotional capabilities which are transferred into all facets of life. Immersing your child in physical movement environments within their early years gives them the best chance to reach successful outcomes. 

When educating children from ages 3-8, the Victorian Health and Phys Ed Curriculum focuses on teaching and developing Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS). FMS are our foundational capabilities that make up movement patterns. Some examples are: hop, jump, run and underarm throw. It is imperative that these are well rehearsed and that children have had multiple exposures so that they have the foundational understanding as they progress through their learning journey.

Here are our hot tips for getting your Prep child ready for Phys Ed at St Peter’s Primary School:

1. Allocate time to be physically active

This could be as simple as going for a walk after dinner or playing at the park

1. Model positive behaviours and messages about physical activity

When our children see us active with them they notice how we behave in physical contexts and follow our lead. 

1. Exposure and exploration

Exposing your child to a variety of sports/activities will keep them engaged and excited about moving. Allowing them to explore different sports/activities assists them in working through challenging scenarios. You never know where their interests may lead them in the years to come!

1. Balance the emotions of competition with development 

Our young people often need help with regulating their emotions when it comes to competitive contexts. Although we all want to win, sometimes loss can serve as a more valuable lesson for development and improvement. Assisting your child in this realm will serve as a great basis for them to establish sportsmanlike capabilities. This is what we refer to as our growth mindset.