1. family and parenting
2. children

What is
PLAY Central?
Introducing…
PLAY Central (Physical Literacy And You)
is a new group in town made up
of people who are passionate about
physical activity in Central Alberta.
PLAY Central Vision:
Individuals and families in Central Alberta lead
physically active and enriched lives.
Along with formal and informal leaders within the Central Alberta
community, PLAY Central members are working together to share
resources, while offering training and special events that promote the
importance of physical literacy, fundamental movement skills and active
living at all ages and stages of life within the Central Alberta community.
?
PLAY Central Mission:
Empower and educate community
members in Central Alberta to promote
physical literacy and encourage Central
Albertans to be ACTIVE for life.
What are the Fundamental
Movement Skills?
These are the building blocks of an active life.
They contribute to your health and well-being.
They can also assist in the development of wellrounded, high-performing athletes.
PLAY Central Partners
Ideally, a child will learn these skills early on:
Physical Literacy 101
Walk
Run
Skip
Jump
Throw
Balance
Catch`
Kick
Strike
Stork
Stand
by Rob Weddell, Red Deer College
T
he focus on ‘physical literacy’ has
grown over the last decade because
it addresses concerns about increased
sedentary behaviours, as well as rising
health care costs. So how is physical
literacy going to help our society with
these concerns?
There are countless social, mental
and health benefits to increasing our
physical activity. Physical literacy is the
gateway to those benefits regardless of
age or gender.
Physical literacy begins by developing
fundamental movement skills and a
genuine joy for active play. Confidence
grows as a child learns body control,
movement and other skills in a variety of
environments (land, air, snow and water).
• A child is more likely to join friends at
recess to play soccer.
Physical literacy is about the growth of
the whole person. The more competent
we are in reading (language literacy), the
more we read. The more confident our
math skills (numeracy literacy), the more
we appreciate a drop at the pumps.
Physical literacy works the same way.
When we are physically literate:
• A parent has more opportunities to
socialize with his or her child while
playing catch in the backyard.
• A grandparent is more likely to
remain active while taking a
grandchild swimming.
In short, we are more likely to
remain active for life!
And the good news is:
It’s never too late to step
onto the path to
physical literacy!
Meet
Sebit …
I like many sports. Hockey is great because you get
to do cool tricks on the ice. People are chasing you
and you’re chasing people and everyone is moving
fast. You do tricks to move around the ice and
sometimes the tricks help you to get the
puck into the net. I’m in the First Shift
program for first timers in hockey. That
gave me the chance to get started.
I love to run. It makes me feel good. But I play a
lot of different sports as well. Football is fun, and
so is basketball. I like shooting hoops.
It feels good when you know how to play the
game. When you play soccer, your feet do all the
work. But you have to think about where to go and how to get the ball
into the net. Last week in gym class we learned about lacrosse. I really
liked that too. Some of the exercises we did were a lot of fun!
I’m in the First Shift program for first timers in
hockey. That gave me the chance to get started.
Meet
Meet
Hannah …
If we’re going on a trip, we pack tennis
racquets and other equipment in our suitcases.
I like playing fastball too. This year I’m playing on the U14A team for Red Deer Rage.
Going to practices and games outside is great, especially when it’s nice out! My Dad has
been coaching me for a very long time, and he has been an important part of my athletics.
Those are my two big sports right now, but my family likes to do lots of other things
as well. When we go to the mountains or to my grandparents’ cabin, we enjoy hiking,
biking, swimming, skiing and hopefully rock climbing sometime soon!
If we’re going on a trip, we always pack tennis racquets and other sports equipment in
our suitcases. One time, we ended up playing baseball on the tennis court! It’s always
fun to enjoy the warm weather outside. We like to stay active and try new activities
like paddle boarding and snorkelling – even on a relaxing holiday.
Chelsea …
Meet
But my approach to staying active changed after I had a child and
rediscovered the joy of play. When I draw chalk on the sidewalk with
my daughter or help her ride a bike, I’m being physically active. In that
moment, though, what I really appreciate is the mental health benefits that
come from regularly experiencing joy!
My approach to staying
active changed after I had
a child and rediscovered
the joy of play.
Then I had a defining moment. I was running beside my Phys. Ed.
teacher in early high school deep in McKenzie Trails in the fall. I was
struggling and I wanted to stop. She turned to me and said, “Tara,
you can do this – you can do anything you set your mind to!” Once I
understood that I just needed to put my mind to it, I got it! I’ve been running
ever since. Another high school teacher challenged me as well to pursue athletics
and academics. Sometimes I meet him on the trails and we have a laugh.
“Tara Veer,” he says. “Is that you exercising?”
I’m very active now. I enjoy running, hiking and in-line skating. I also challenge
myself to try a new physical activity each year. Zumba, yoga – I’ll try anything!
I’ve learned since becoming Mayor that it’s important to lead by example. When
I’m at the Collicutt Centre, I will occasionally overhear children talking to each
other: “I didn’t know the Mayor exercised!” It’s important to talk about active
living to the next generation, but it’s more important to live it.
I’m very interested in the arts and I plan to be a teacher. I’ve been working with the
younger children in the dance troupe for years and I appreciate the opportunity to
mentor others, including my three-year-old niece.
I like to bike and go for walks, and I do yoga to stay
flexible. There’s a lot of preparation that goes into dancing.
Teens
PLAY Central recently connected with over 40 approved family day home
providers in Central Alberta to ask about how we could support them in
providing physical literacy opportunities for our youngest citizens.
There’s so much to do in Red Deer’s recreation facilities
and parks, including our two awesome skate parks:
In the coming months, we’ll be connecting further so we can
begin to implement some of those ideas as day home providers
incorporate even more fun physical literacy activities into their days.
Red Deer Skatepark
Glendale Skatepark
43 Street and 48 Avenue, near Rotary Recreation Park and
the Red Deer Arena
Just off of 76 Street and Taylor Drive
Teens can practice their tricks and hone their skills on a
variety of obstacles at this great outdoor facility.
This cool skate park features a concrete pool-style bowl and
a challenging collection of rails, stairs, gaps and ledges.
Both parks are available from dawn to dusk. Have a blast!
Meet
Howard …
I had a heart attack recently and
being fit probably saved my life.
When I was younger, I was pretty active. I pitched ball
and played hockey before the war, and I was captain of
both my teams. I liked having a group of friends and it
was good for you. When I came back to Canada after
the war, I was farming. I still pitched some ball, but
other sports got put to the side for quite a while.
In 1968 or so, I started skating every winter in the Red
Deer Arena. The Silver Blades Skating Club offers good
exercise and good fellowship. You meet some very nice
people when you’re in sports. Skating is a way to stay
healthy and it’s entertaining. They play beautiful music –
waltz, big band, you name it. You get that glide going
as you keep time to the music. It gives you energy
and you feel like you’re in your stride.
I had a heart attack recently and being fit probably saved
my life. I’m feeling quite well again – back exercising
and lots of walking. At almost ninety-two, I think older
people are healthier and happier when they’re active.
Active living tips For
Adults
Active living sounds great, but I’m so busy!
I don’t think I can fit fitness in!”
I grew up in an outdoor-oriented family and that instilled a love of
the outdoors in me, but I preferred reading over physical activity. I
remember in Phys. Ed., I would choose to write an essay on volleyball
rather than actually playing it!
Being active isn’t even a question for me. If you’re not
active, what are you doing? I’m active every day. I like to
bike and go for walks, and I do yoga to stay flexible. There’s a lot of
preparation that goes into dancing. You must be physically fit in order to have
the stamina and endurance you need to wear the heavy outfits while you dance.
Active living tips For
the Mayor of Red Deer
Today I enjoy yoga as an instructor and practitioner. That’s the seed
where all my views on wellness come from. I keep active because I want
to feel good in my own body and because I believe that active living sets
a good example for my daughter. I also think it’s important to take time
to do something for me. It’s quiet time in the hustle bustle. It helps me to
maintain my health and mitigate any health risks or challenges that may
come my way.
Once I understood that I just needed to put my
mind to it, I got it! I’ve been running ever since.
We’ve had opportunities to dance and perform in lots of places –
schools, conferences and openings. When we go into schools,
many children say they’ve never seen aboriginal
dancing. They’re excited to see what we do and I
enjoy that. One of my favourite memories is when
the Vancouver 2010 Olympic torch came through
Red Deer. I was on the stage when it was lit.
The Early Years
Krista …
Growing up, my brother and I would hop on our bikes and others would
join us until we had a bike parade. We’d ride down the street to shoot
hoops. Then we’d go play in someone’s backyard… and then in someone
else’s. At dinner time, our parents would blow whistles. Every whistle
had a different tone and when you heard yours, you went home. It was
a wonderful way to grow up because everybody looked out for one another.
When I was younger, my favourite sport was definitely ringette, even
though the first goal I scored was on my own team’s net! That didn’t
happen again! In my first year of U12, my team won Provincials, and
that was pretty exciting. Since we made it to the final, we got to paint
the coaches’ faces in all different colours. The whole team, and even
some of the fans, wore sunglasses with funny moustaches.
I’m a Metis Aboriginal Dancer with the Red Deer Aboriginal Dance Troupe, and I’ve
been dancing for as long as I can remember – at least fourteen years. I do the
women’s shawl dance and I’d like to pick up hoop dancing someday soon.
Our culture and our dances and our music are built on the teachings that
have been passed down. The dance I do mimics the butterflies.
Active living tips For
Meet
We know many people feel that way. We also know there are lots of
ideas for incorporating physical activities into your busy life. If this is your
challenge, why not check out websites such as www.mayoclinic.org
(search for “fitting in fitness”) that offer suggestions on how to make active
living work for you – even if you’re living your life in the fast lane.
Shared Vision for Physical Literacy
Shaping a Community
by Dr. Vicki Harber
C
ommunities in Alberta, as in all of Canada, need to
embrace the importance of physical literacy. Our lives
have become filled with too much physical inactivity. Building
common goals and solutions across health, education,
sport and recreation will help communities and their citizens
experience the wide-ranging benefits of regular physical
activity. To make a sustained impact, we need to engage and
educate parents, educators and community leaders who
influence the places we where we live, learn, work and play.
Many children do not participate in regular physical activity
and sport, and they are deficient in physical literacy. Instilling
routine activity and supporting the acquisition of fundamental
movement skills would help address, and perhaps halt, the
growing number of children becoming overweight and obese.
Quality physical activity and sport programs will also address
some physical, cognitive, emotional and social challenges that
our children face.
How have we managed to strip away the very essence of
childhood – its spontaneity – where children learn through
experimenting and exploring? We have deprived our children
of many basic experiences that serve as the foundation for
becoming an independent adult. Let’s work to change this.
Dr. Harber is a leader
in the field of sports
and was a member of
the Canadian Olympic
Rowing team.
If you are a parent with young children,
I encourage you to learn more about
physical literacy and its broader
implications for child physical, mental
and social development.
You can learn more about
physical literacy by visiting:
www.activeforlife.ca
or www.reddeer.ca/playcentral
Central Alberta’s schools are strong and active supporters of
PLAY Central. Their staff and teachers encourage children to
develop healthy habits related to physical activity because
they know this is the prime time for building lifelong habits.
These two schools have had great and PLAYful years.
Active living tips For
Seniors
Everybody wants to be as active and
independent as possible. One of the best
ways to maintain independence is daily
activity and exercise. This can:
increase your energy
improve your sleep
improve your balance
strengthen heart
and lungs
decrease the risk
of falling
strengthen your bones
and muscles
reduce the risk of
chronic diseases
by Jackie Weddell
Holy Family School develops physical literacy
through our Physical Education (P.E.) program.
Children learn the fundamental movement skills
such as catching, throwing, striking, running,
Photo Supplied by Holy Family School
jumping and kicking. We teach children
competency in these movement skills, but more importantly we encourage positive attitudes about
being active and healthy. Physical literacy includes how we think and feel about physical activity and
how it relates to our social and emotional well-being. The goal of our P.E. program is to instill a love of
activity in our students so they remain active throughout their lifetime.
École Oriole Park School
by Del Lomsnes
Why not check out our many
June activities, including:
Grandma,
Grandpa and Me
Seniors and
Seniors Walk
Wednesday, June 3
Thursday, June 4
Bower Ponds
Holy Family School
Golden Circle
École Oriole Park School has been delivering quality
physical education to its students for over 25 years. In
the last couple of years the program has concentrated on
physical literacy. Dr. Margaret Whitehead, a leading expert
Photo Supplied by École Oriole Park School
on the topic, defines physical literacy as “the motivation,
confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement
in physical activities for life.” At Oriole Park, we focus on developing fundamental movement skills, fitness skills,
living skills and active participation in all our students. Physical literacy is not a destination, but a journey over
a lifetime. We want to lay a solid foundation so our students will choose to remain active throughout their life,
developing skills at their own individual rates as they progress along the physical literacy continuum.
Physical Literacy & Fundamental Movement Skills Summit
Participants at our Summit in April 18, 2015 at Red Deer College, learned the importance of physical literacy and
fundamental movement skills. Participants experienced practical games and activities to take back to their communities.
For more information about these events,
please go to The City of Red Deer’s Events
Calendar at www.reddeerevents.ca
Photos provided by the Be Fit for Life Centre.
Try
Move and Play cards
These cards were designed by the Be Fit for Life Network
for use with children and youth (ages 3-12) in home, school
or community settings. They outline fun activities that help
develop physical literacy and movement skills.
These informative sets can be purchased and they’re also
available at all three branches of Red Deer Public Library.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher
or youth leader, why not use your
library card to borrow a set?
Who’s involved with PLAY Central?
PLAY Central is a multi-sectoral coalition of groups and organizations that extends south to Olds, west to
Rocky Mountain House, north to Ponoka and east to Stettler. Organizations taking a lead on this initiative
include Alberta Health Services, Alberta Sport Development Centre (`) Central, Be Fit for Life, The City of
Red Deer, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, Red Deer College and Red Deer Public Schools. Over the
past year, meetings have been attended by a variety of individuals who have represented the adapted, early
childhood, education, First Nations, health, recreation, seniors and sports communities within Red Deer
and in Central Alberta. This publication has been co-sponsored by The City of Red Deer.
For more information about PLAY Central or to become a physical literacy
champion, please call Barb at the Be Fit for Life Centre at 403-357-3612
or go to www.reddeer.ca/playcentral .
PLAY Central is grateful for funds provided by: