MOVEMENT EDUCATION is an approach that helps children learn and develop through physical activity,

focusing on improving their coordination, spatial awareness, and overall motor skills.
Is learning process by instilling knowledge like motor skills through physical movement. The goal is to
help individuals learn how to move efficiently and effectively, enhancing their physical fitness and coordination
while also supporting cognitive and social growth.

4 examples that can illustrate the meaning of MOVEMENT EDUCATION

• Fundamental Motor Skills
• Body Awareness and Spatial Orientation
• Movement Creativity and Expression
• Cognitive and Motor Integration

FUNDAMENTAL MOTOR SKILLS is an ability to move with competence and confidence in a variety of
physical activities. Wherein these basic skills have a vital role for participating in a wide range of physical
activities and sports. FMS has 3 types of motor skills:
1. Locomotor it is a movement from one place to another
2. Non-locomotor it is a movement in one place
3. Object Manipulation from the phrase itself you manipulate things/object.
BODY AWARENESS AND SPATIAL ORIENTATION it helps the students to develop in understanding
of their body’s position in space and how to move effectively within it.
MOVEMENT CREATIVITY AND EXPRESSION involve using movement as a way to explore and
express emotions, ideas, and personal creativity. It encourages individuals to experiment with different
movement patterns and styles.
By creating dance routines or interpreting music through movement, students express their emotions and
creativity, which enhances the creative thinking and rhythm, and also improving coordination and body
control.
COGNITIVE AND MOTOR INTEGRATION refers to the connection between mental processes like
problem-solving and memory and physical actions. Movement education incorporates cognitive tasks into
physical activities to enhance both mental and motor skills.
For example Solving puzzles or following instructions while performing physical tasks combines
cognitive challenges with movement. This helps students develop better problem-solving skills, memory, and
concentration, along with improved motor coordination.

HISTORY OF MOVEMENT EDUCATION

1. Pre-1900s: Gymnastics and Drill-Based Physical Education
 PE was heavily influenced by military-style drills and European gymnastics systems (German and
Swedish models).
 Focus: discipline, strength, posture, and physical conditioning.
 Little attention was given to creativity or movement exploration.
2. Early 1900s: Beginnings of Progressive Education
 Influenced by educational reformers like John Dewey, who emphasized learning through doing and
child-centered education.
 Play and physical activity were viewed as important for child development, but movement education as
a concept had not yet emerged.
3. 1940s–1950s: Roots of Movement Education (UK Influence)
 Movement education began to take shape in Britain, especially under the leadership of Rudolf Laban, a
dance artist and movement theorist.
o Who introduced the idea of effort, space, and body in movement.
 These concepts help educators teach movement more purposefully and holistically,
beyond just physical fitness or skill performance.
 1. Body – “What is moving?” This concept focuses on the physical aspect of
movement — the parts of the body involved and how they are used.
 2. Space – “Where is the body moving?” This concept deals with spatial
awareness, which is understanding how the body moves in relation to the
environment.
 3. Effort – “How is the body moving?” This focuses on the quality or energy of
movement — the expressive part of how movement feels and is performed. Time:
Sudden vs. sustained (fast vs. slow) Weight: Strong vs. light (forceful vs. gentle)
 Space: Direct vs. indirect (focused vs. flexible paths) Flow: Bound vs. free
(controlled vs. continuous)
o his work laid the foundation for creative movement in education.
4. 1960s–1970s: Introduction in the United States and Canada
 Laban’s ideas were brought to North America by educators like Veronica Sherborne, Margaret
H'Doubler, and others.
 Schools began integrating creative movement and educational gymnastics.
 PE became more child-centered, focusing on how children move, not just what they could achieve
physically.
 Movement education was promoted especially in elementary schools.
5. 1980s–1990s: Decline and Overshadowing by Fitness/Sports
 Growing interest in physical fitness testing, sports performance, and measurable outcomes in education.
 Movement education was seen as too abstract or "soft" compared to athletic training.
 Emphasis shifted back to fitness, standardized testing, and competitive sports.
 Fitness refers to physical attributes like strength, endurance, flexibility, and body composition. It is
often measured through standardized tests.
 Movement Education focuses on teaching fundamental movement skills (e.g. balance, coordination,
spatial awareness) and understanding how the body moves. It promotes lifelong physical literacy.
6. 2000s–Present: Resurgence and Integration with Physical Literacy
 Movement education is regaining importance due to:
o Concerns about sedentary lifestyles and childhood obesity.
o Research supporting motor development, brain-body connection, and physical literacy.
 Modern PE combines fitness, skills, and movement exploration.
 Recognized as critical for lifelong physical activity and inclusion of all ability levels.
rtance of
Movement Education
III. Components of Physical Fitness
 Health Related Fitness Components are essential for overall health and well-being. These may help
you function effectively in daily life and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
 Body composition refers to the proportions of fat, muscle, bone, and other tissues that make up a
person’s body. It's often measured using tools like BMI, skinfold calipers, bioelectrical impedance,
or DEXA scans.
 Somatotypes are a classification of human body shapes or physiques, introduced by William H.
Sheldon in the 1940s. There are three main types:
1. Ectomorph – Lean and long, with difficulty building muscle or fat
2. Mesomorph – Muscular and well-built, with a high metabolism and responsive muscle cells
3. Endomorph – Higher body fat, often pear-shaped, with a tendency to store fat easily
BMI Formula (Metric units): BMI=Weight (kg)/(Height (m))2
BMI Formula (Imperial units): BMI=Weight (lb)×703/(Height (in))2
BMI Category
< 18.5 Underweight
18.5–24.9 Normal weight
25.0–29.9 Overweight
30.0 and above Obese

 Flexibility The range of motion available at a joint. E.g. sit and reach, zipper test, butterfly stretch
 Muscular Strength The maximum force a muscle or muscle group can exert in a single effort. E.g.
weight lifting
 Muscular Endurance The ability of a muscle or group of muscles to sustain repeated contractions
over time without fatigue.
 Cardiorespiratory Endurance The ability of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels to deliver oxygen
to working muscles during prolonged activity. 5km run/jogging, biking
“Health-related fitness is about being physically fit for everyday life and long-term health.”
  Skill Related Components are linked to athletic performance and how well you perform specific
physical tasks or sports.
 Agility The ability to change direction quickly and efficiently. E.g. Shuttle run, bleep test
 Balance The ability to maintain body position whether stationary or moving. Stork test/one-leg
balance
 Coordination The ability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently.
Dribbling “eye-hand coordination”
 Speed The ability to move quickly across the ground or move limbs rapidly. E.g. sprint
 Power The ability to exert maximum force in a short time (strength + speed).
 Reaction Time The time it takes to respond to a stimulus.

“Skill-related fitness is about performing well in physical activities or sports.”

PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL TRAINING AND FITT PRINCIPLES

1. Frequency – How often you exercise
 Refers to the number of exercise sessions per week
2. Intensity – How hard you exercise
 Refers to how difficult the workout is
3. Time – How long you exercise
 Duration of each workout session
4. Type – What kind of exercise you do
 The form or category of physical activity
Choose based on fitness goals:
 Cardio: Running, swimming, cycling
 Strength: Weight lifting, resistance bands
 Flexibility: Yoga, stretching
 Skill-related: Agility drills, plyometrics