Physical literacy concept sharing: from falling in love to detachment

By Amit Malik, IPLA Governance & HR

I first came to know about physical literacy concept in year 2016. Its inclusive and holistic pitch really connected well with me. I remember that night in 2016 when I reflected upon my physical literacy journeys and how external motivations have slowly shaped into internal motivations. My reflections broke my own myths around fitness, physical activities and specially body-image. It was challenging but liberating as well.

Then, I read through books of Margaret and perhaps those books’ hangover is still on me. Looking at whole human existence, valuing physical activity and not as means, a lifelong journey, relatability to every aspect of life and many more such points, really made me fall in love with the concept. And I really fell in love with richness of physical literacy construct.

When I started contributing to advocacy and training of physical literacy, I was obsessed with Margaret’s work. I used to give lot of lectures, slides and profound statements around physical literacy to make everyone understand the concept. I was in love with the concept, and I believed that I could convince other by showing my passion for the concept. But majority of the times, I failed to strike a real connection and understanding for the participants.

I went back to my understanding of concept and this time detached from the concept totally. I started normal conversations with people around me to understand their physical literacy journeys. I tried my best to look at their journeys with neutral and emotional lens but moving away lens of judgment (that they do not understand PL). Things became very light and clear for me personally. While I have theoretical foundation and understanding, this connecting ability with everyone really gave me magic wand to promote PL.

I changed all workshops structure from sharing to knowing about participants physical literacy journey. I tried various creative ways for participants to share their journeys; through dance, theater, games, play, art, drawing and other ways. Also, I tried that while reflecting on their journeys, each participant must relive their experiences/emotions and remember their influencers. In simplified way, we humanized the physical literacy session by brining holistic experiences.

This change has been transformative in connecting physical literacy to many participants. I had to detach myself from the concept to help more people connect with the concept in an easier way. I also learnt in this journey that physical literacy concept is already with everyone and it’s just a matter of connecting with those experiences.