Specifics for generalists: Teaching elementary physical education

Abstract

Quality physical education offered at the elementary school level is critical for children tounderstand and develop healthy living. In most countries, physical education is taught by ageneralist teacher (i.e., an individual who has not undertaken extensive training in physicaleducation) particularly at the elementary school level. Inadequate and inappropriatepreparation has been identified as a major barrier for an elementary generalist to developand implement a quality physical education program. The purpose of this paper is toidentify and discuss helpful strategies used to employ each fundamental component of aquality physical education program and is intended for a generalist audience. Morespecifically, the paper will explore (a) the (dis)advantage of teaching physical education as ageneralist teacher; (b) the ability of physical education to address the whole child; (c) theconfusion surrounding physical education and physical activity; and (d) the strategies of asuccessful physical educator.

Keywords

• elementary
• physical education
• generalist
• teacher
• physical literacy