More than 400 early childhood education and care services and primary schools across Australia – representing over 37,000 children – will next week take part in Australia's first Physical Literacy Week.
The initiative, led by The University of Western Australia's KIDDO program and supported by Healthway, encourages educators, children and families to move, play and explore together through daily challenges that develop essential movement skills and confidence to be active.
KIDDO Program Director Amanda Derbyshire, from UWA's School of Human Sciences, said Physical Literacy Week, which runs from November 3 to 7, was designed to celebrate movement and inspire lifelong physical literacy from an early age.
"Physical Literacy Week is about making movement fun, inclusive and accessible for every child, every day," Ms Derbyshire said.
"When children develop physical literacy, they gain so much more than movement skills — they build confidence, social skills and the ability to self-regulate as well as improve their readiness for learning. These are the foundations that help children lead active, healthy and happy lives."
Ms Derbyshire said the response had been overwhelming with hundreds of organisations and thousands of children ready to take part in KIDDO's play-based challenges that encourage them to move, play and explore with confidence.
Goodstart Early Learning WA State Director Todd Dawson said that at Goodstart's centres physical literacy was nurtured through play every day — climbing, dancing, running, building and exploring the world around us.
"We see first-hand how movement supports children's learning, confidence and wellbeing," Mr Dawson said.
"Physical Literacy Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate active play and the joy and lifelong benefits that come from simply moving together."
The Minister for Preventative Health and Early Childhood, Sabine Winton MLA, said Physical Literacy Week was supported by the State Government through Healthway, creating more opportunities for WA children and families to thrive by promoting active healthy lifestyles.
"Physical Literacy Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the importance of movement and play in the early years – these are the building blocks for a child's confidence, wellbeing and lifelong love of being active," Minister Winton said.
Minister Winton will launch the event at Goodstart Early Learning in Tapping next Wednesday 5 November at 9am.
Participating services receive a free Physical Literacy Week Digital Kit filled with activities, posters, family engagement ideas and educator resources to make participation simple and fun. For more information, visit www.kiddo.edu.au/physical-literacy-week
