Fundamental Movement Skills: Active Start and FUNdamentals - For Children with Physical Disabilities

Fundamental Movement Skills: Active Start and FUNdamentals for Children With Physical Disabilities provides the theory and practice to enable physical activity leaders to develop learners’ fundamental movement skills in an effective, fun, and interactive manner. This is achieved by providing the following:

• Descriptions and characteristics of the mature movement patterns of fundamental movement skills
• Photographs of each of the fundamental movement skills
• Practical and specific teaching tips to help physical activity in developing children’s fundamental movement skills and physical literacy
• A wide variety of activities that utilize the featured skills
• A checklist for assessment of fundamental movement skills

The activities in this resource are focused on teaching stability skills, object manipulation skills, and locomotor skills, which are the three major skill categories within the LTAD Model.

This resource employs best practices for inclusion and adaptations (modifications to equipment, environment, instructions, and rules) to cater to the needs of children with physical disabilities. Specific adaptations are provided for children who use manual and electric wheelchairs, children with cerebral palsy, children with amputations, and children with visual and hearing impairments.

Audience

Physical activity leaders of children ages 5 through 9 with physical disabilities who are in the Active Start and FUNdamentals stages of the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Model. 

Part I. Introduction
Short Description of the Disabilities Included in This Handbook
Children in Wheelchairs (Manual or Electric)
Spinal Cord Injury
Spina Bifida
Muscular Dystrophy
Children With Cerebral Palsy (May or May Not Use a Wheelchair or Mobility Aid)
Children With Amputations
Children With a Visual Impairment
Deaf Children
The Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Model for Athletes With Disabilities: No Accidental Champions
Physical Literacy
A Developmental Approach to Motor Skill Development
General Teaching Tips
Safety
Best Practices in Inclusion
Adaptations: Equipment, Environment, Instruction, Rules
Behaviour Management Techniques
Importance of Self-Determination
Assessment: Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
Online Innovative E-learning

Part II. Fundamental Movement Skills
Dodge
Hop
Skip
Stork Stand
Jump
Kick
Dribble
Throw (Overarm and Underarm)
Catch
Run
Sidearm Strike

Part III. References
Appendix 1: List of Activities
Appendix 2: Adapted Equipment Resources
Appendix 3: Disability Organizations
Appendix 4: Adapted Physical Education Textbooks and Articles for Reference
Appendix 5: Other Websites of Interest
Appendix 6: Canadian Disability Sport Organizations
Appendix 7: Paralympic Sport Programs
Appendix 8: Fundamental Movement Skills Series

Physical & Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) is a national leader and vital contributor in fostering achievement and health among Canadian children and youth by supporting physical and health education and active living initiatives where children live, learn, and play. PHE Canada’s vision is a future wherein all children and youth in Canada live healthy, physically active lives.

Contributors: Meghann Lloyd, PhD, David Legg, PhD, Rick Bell, PhD, Mary Bluechardt, PhD, Don Hutchinson, Dean Kozak, James Mandigo, PhD, Karen Natho, William Harvey, PhD, Andrea Grantham, Stefanie Partridge, Sharon May.