1. What is Physical Literacy?
Physical literacy is a lifelong process that requires an individual to continuously develop a variety of skills, knowledge and attitudes to insure a lifetime of health and physical well-being. This developmental process occurs along a continuum, yet there are specific age and developmentally appropriate, knowledge, skills and attitudes that an individual should possess. A physically literate individual must be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of how the body works (Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics) and how we learn (Motor Learning Process).
2. demonstrate the ability to use age appropriate terminology as it relates to Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Motor Learning, and Health.
3. demonstrate proficient movement within a variety of physical activities, recreational game play and sport.
4. demonstrate a value system that supports the continued development of personal health and physical well-being.

2. Why Physical Literacy?
We believe that it is essential that we examine physical literacy as a process and not an end product. Our society is currently faced with an epidemic of childhood obesity that will have immeasurable impact upon the future. As physical educators, we must strive not only to develop physically literate students through the achievement of standards, but also to encourage the continued development of physical literacy throughout adulthood. The development and attainment of skill and health related fitness should not be an end product of physical education, but a journey that is facilitated by physical educators and the extension of the journey by independent learners.

3. How is the process of achieving Physical Literacy and Physical Education Standards related?
Standards define the specific knowledge, skills and attitudes that a student should achieve throughout his/her K-12 educational experience. If a student attains proficiency within each of the standards he/she is considered to be “physically literate” at that specific point in time of the individual’s education. Both physical literacy and physical education standards are founded upon developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes in a sequential and developmentally appropriate manner, not isolated. However, unlike physical education standards, the achievement of physical literacy is an independent and on-going process that continues throughout a lifetime.

4. How do you develop physically literate students?
The development of physically literate students is supported by the implementation of a high quality standards-based physical education program that integrates skill and health related fitness throughout the various instructional units.

5. What type of resources do you provide to support the development of physical literacy?
We believe that the implementation of the Functional Movement Training Method provides a solid foundation from which a student can effectively develop an understanding and attainment of skill and health related fitness. Therefore, students are able to use the “body as a text,” discovering and learning the how, what, and why of human movement. In addition, it is important to use research based teaching strategies to create a high quality learning environment. We use a variety of instructional methods: differentiation of instruction, independent learning, scaffolding, spiraling, etc., to address the needs of a diverse student population.

6. Do all individuals have the ability to develop physical literacy?
Yes. While physical literacy is often defined by a set of standards, it is important to adapt the standards to meet the physical, cognitive and social potential of an individual.