Schools in Cochrane are making changes to the way physical activity is taught and the upgrades are touted to be the building blocks of physical learning. With the help of Ever Active Schools and funding from Jumpstart Charity, five Cochrane schools are revamping what it means to teach physical education by going back to the fundamentals. Bow Valley High, Cochrane High, Manachaban Middle School, Mitford School and Cochrane Christian Academy will all be participating. Elizabeth Barrett School (EBS), which has already enhanced its physical education, is taking on a mentorship role. “It’s kind of like the ABCs - you have to learn those before reading. So if you understand the fundamental movement in your gym program, you can take on any sport,” said Tasha Royer, a Grade 5 teacher at EBS. “It’s not looking at new activities it’s looking at the building blocks of movement.” Traditionally, the school focused on organized sport. Now, teachers are working toward teaching students to be comfortable with various activities such as hiking in all weathers, learning the fundamentals of a sport like throwing and kicking a ball, as well as how to incorporate activity into their everyday lives. Principal Susan Parker said the value in learning the basics of a sport can be especially important for girls. "Research shows – this is in Canadian data – we know that boys are motivated to become involved in organized sport by the sport itself; girls are motivated by the social connections. So if we don’t teach girls those fundamental skills, they may not make a team," she said. "For example – it's important girls know when you throw a ball, you lead with the elbow." "So it’s important at the school level there's no longer just an emphasis on activity but there's an emphasis on skill development so kids are taught the actual skills just as we do with literacy or numeracy." Brian Torrance, director of Ever Active Schools, said while the initiative is hoped to improve kids' skills while creating more occasions to be active, it's also meant to provide opportunities for children who might not otherwise be able to participate in sport. "One main focus is we want to have more of a universal approach to it. So children in families that can’t afford physical activity – to make sure that we’re providing those additional supports," Torrance said. Besides creating more physical activity time at school, EBS also has a few Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre membership cards that can be borrowed from their library. "I think we’re starting to see that we know if a child is active and healthy then they’re a better learner and this initiative just complements that," Torrance said.
