Physical Literacy

Over the past 12 months the Physical Literacy (known as PhyLit) project team has been building a compelling case for Physical Literacy to be added as a Key Competence to the European Council Framework for Key Competencies for Lifelong Learning. The project team is made up of experts from the education, sport and voluntary sectors in 5 different countries in Europe – Syndicat National de l’Education Physique (SNEP), France, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana (FMH), of the Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal, Sports Union of Slovenia, Slovenia, European Physical Education Association (EUPEA) Switzerland and Youth Sport Trust International (England). Each partner has hosted a meeting in their own country.The Council of Europe recommendation defines eight key competencies which are crucial to prepare people better for life in today’s society. Competencies are a combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes. European Commission has updated the framework of Key Competencies for Lifelong Learning and they are as follows: 1) literacy competence, 2) multilingual competence, 3) mathematical competence and competence in science, technology and engineering, 4) digital competence, 5) personal, social and learning to learn competence, 6) citizenship competence, 7) entrepreneurship competence, 8) cultural awareness and expression competence. Physical Literacy is not included and the aim of the PhyLit project has been to demonstrate why it should be added as a Key Competence in its own right. (Note Commissioner Navracsic’s references to the importance of sport and physical activity).The project seeks to show how the addition of Physical Literacy would impact positively on the development of individuals’ physical, psychological, social and cognitive development and thereby bring about enormous benefits for society. For example, a reduction in the cost of physical inactivity which is currently 80 billion Euros because 210 million Europeans are inactive.The concept of Physical Literacy has stimulated increased research attention in recent years, being deployed in physical education, sport participation and the promotion of physical activity.Following in depth research of how Physical Literacy is defined worldwide, the PhyLit team adopted the definition by the Australian Sports Commission as the reference to movement as well as physical activity was considered to be appropriate and significant.Physical Literacy is lifelong learning acquired and applied in movement and physical activity contexts. It reflects ongoing changes integrating physical, psychological, cognitive and social capabilities. It is vital in helping us lead healthy and fulfilling lives through movement and physical activity. (Australian Sports Commission 2017)The project concentrated on the following key outputs to advocate for the addition of Physical Literacy as a Key Competence:•Literature reviews of different international:- approaches to the definition and core components of Physical Literacy. Five different databases, special issues, seminal works, reports, books and websites were sourced for relevant contributions to the scope of the review.- policies on skills for lifelong learning and on Physical Literacy. This review identified policies relating to Physical Literacy in the fields of education, sport, health and recreation. •Development of:- Physical Literacy self-assessment questionnaire,- Physical Literacy curriculum questionnaire,- Physical Literacy questionnaire for coaches and teachers.The questionnaires have all been tested with relevant practitioners and revised based on feedback received.•Advocacy materials to promote Physical Literacy- leaflet advocating why Physical Literacy is a key competence for lifelong learning to influence decision makers.Presentations about the project were also made to a number of forums.