An Introduction to Physical Literacy: A Foundation for Better Programs • Sport for Life

Some kids light up during physical activity. Others shrink back, lose confidence, and by age 12, they’re done with organized sport forever.

The difference? Physical literacy. And most programs aren’t building it systematically.

The Real Problem

Only 39% of children and youth (ages 5-17) in Canada meet the recommendation of 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity per day. By the time they hit adolescence, participation drops further.

Many kids don’t want to move because they don’t have the skills—and without the skills, they don’t have the confidence or motivation. We’re skipping fundamentals and throwing them into games they’re not ready for, which reinforces the cycle.

A child who can’t catch reliably won’t join Ultimate Frisbee as an adult. Someone who never learned to move confidently on ice avoids winter activity entirely. Poor physical literacy in childhood directly predicts sedentary adulthood.

You see this in your programs. Participants with weak foundational skills withdraw, get injured more often, or never develop the confidence to try new activities. Meanwhile, we keep running the same sessions, hoping for different results.

Join Our Foundational Workshop on Physical Literacy

Sport for Life’s An Introduction to Physical Literacy is a 3-4 hour foundational workshop that gives you a clear understanding of what physical literacy is, why it matters, and how to support its development in your programs.

You’ll explore the core principles:

Movement skills open doors. The more fundamental skills someone develops (balance, locomotion, object control), the more activities become accessible. If you can run, you can play soccer, basketball, rugby, or chase your kids at the park. If you can throw, you can bowl, play baseball, or go fishing.
Competence builds confidence, confidence drives motivation. It’s a cycle. Skills create confidence. Confidence builds motivation. Motivated participants stay active for decades, not seasons.
Environment matters. Developing skills only on flat ground leaves people unprepared for ice, water, or uneven terrain—which explains why so many Canadians are sedentary all winter.

What You’ll Learn

The goal of the Introduction to Physical Literacy workshop is to cover a broad introduction to the concept of physical literacy. During this workshop, you will take part in an interactive session that will help you to define exactly what physical literacy means, and how you can integrate its concepts to improve your programs. We will touch on the Physical Literacy Assessment for Youth (PLAY) tools and show you how these can be used to track development of physical literacy skills to help participants improve where needed. You will leave with a solid understanding of what physical literacy is and knowledge of how you can encourage continual improvement and development of physical literacy skills across the lifespan.

Building Your Foundation

Through guided reflection and practical examples, you’ll gain new insights into your own physical literacy journey. You’ll leave with the knowledge and confidence to make meaningful changes in your programs—whether you’re just starting out or refining your approach.

This workshop is an introduction—a starting point for understanding physical literacy and learning how to integrate these concepts into your work. Participants often realize they’re teaching complex skills before foundational ones are solid or identify accessibility considerations they hadn’t previously examined.

Professional Recognition

Completion earns a certificate of completion and NCCP Professional Development Points. This workshop is the required foundation for the Physical Literacy Leader – Level 1 Certification pathway.

Flexible Delivery Options

Live workshops (in-person or virtual)
Group bookings to fit your schedule
On-demand version available to start immediately
All options available in both English and French

For an in-person or virtual workshop, complete the workshop request form or email workshops@sportforlife.ca.

Why This Matters

Understanding how physical literacy develops gives you a framework for creating better programs. This workshop provides that foundation.

Book your workshop: workshops@sportforlife.ca.