The Chameleon Within: Series Two – A Guardian’s Perspective

By Fiona Ware, Subject Area Lead for Higher Education Sport, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

This article explores physical literacy from the guardian’s perspective. In this context, a guardian may be recognsied as an individual who has a role in a child’s or young person’s life, supporting and guiding how and why physical activitiy is important, whilst facilitating and engaging in opportunities to be physically active. Physical literacy recognises one’s motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to be physically active, in which the guardian role considers both the self and others, a catalyst to support lifelong participation, together – a positive role model, initiator, mentor and advocate.

As guardian’s, we are gatekeepers for future active generations, our role pivotal in how children understand, feel and engage with physical activity; our role so great, that the ripples of our responsibilities will be impactful beyond measure. Collectively our efforts are key ingredients in creation of the community, building the foundations of belongingness, through connection, intentionality and meaningfulness. Whilst we recognise our role in supporting generations of lifelong movers, it is in this space that we explore our own understanding, feelings and engagement with physical activity, and the impact of this for all within the community.

In this context, physical literacy teaches us the collaborative and shared experience of physical activity; that in coming together we flourish beyond movement, building the motivation, confidence and responsibility for ourselves and others. Recognising our own chameleon within and the adaptations which evolve as a result.

Through our guardian role, physical literacy supports our understanding in how movement and being physically active is intertwined:

For the guardian, physical activity assumes a dual metaphorical path, the interwoven journey of an individual and collective. Both paths become inseparable, where our personal thoughts, feelings and actions, influence the perceptions, opportunities and willingness of the collective – how we perceive, what we do and how we interact, will influence our children. The responsibility for ourselves and others to value and engage with physical activity, promoting and facilitating the importance throughout life, with the chameleon imperative to interpret the surroundings, making decisions and adaptations to flourish, together.

Recognising the interwoven journey, embrace the playfulness to explore, assuming the guardian role which embodies, guides and contributes, the significance of our own physical literacy paramount.

Reflect and with insight, nurture the chameleon to explore opportunities for us to move together, meaningful for me, you and us; embrace opportunities for us to learn together, challenging and connecting me, you and us; with intention together, seek new ventures and experiences for me, you and us, to flourish and be physically active together, for life.