MoveWell is a games resource to support Physical Education teaching, aimed at primary and intermediate school teachers.
MoveWell provides practical ideas, advice and support to help develop children’s confidence, knowledge, skills and attitudes so that they can enjoy participating in physical activity. It combines evidence and research into a practical games-based resource that has strong links to the health and physical education learning area in The New Zealand Curriculum.
MoveWell was developed by Physical Education New Zealand in collaboration with Sport New Zealand and the Accident Compensation Corporation of New Zealand, and is supported by the Ministry of Education.
The MoveWell resource guides teachers to develop children’s movement skills in an enjoyable, games-centred way. Individual movement skills, such as throwing, catching, kicking, passing, and so on are important to learn. However, these are best taught through games – as effective movement solutions to the problems posed by the game. This resource focuses on teaching children the skills that give them the competence and confidence to play games with others and feel a sense of success.
Five principles define MoveWell's approach and are supported by contemporary theorising and research relating to games education and skill acquisition.
1. Play is central to learning - Through enjoyable, well-designed games, children not only develop abilities in context, they also develop a sense of self, a sense of belonging, and a sense of community.
2. Game contexts provide authentic learning experiences - Children learn to swim in water, they learn to skateboard on a skateboard, and they learn to play games by participating in them. They do this best when they are well-supported in socially inclusive learning environments.
3. Good pedagogy involves active teaching that caters for all children's needs - Learning is enhanced when teachers and others actively engage in designing inclusive lessons, guiding children’s learning, and setting problems that engage them in inquiry and problem solving.
4. Through games, children develop their personal, social, and cultural identity - Participating in enjoyable game activities provides opportunities to develop positive personal, social, and cultural outcomes central to helping one grow in life, know one’s own strengths, and contribute to others (family, community, and land).
5. Laying games develops the competence and confidence to play games with others and try other physical activities - Developing children’s game-playing ability helps to build the competence and confidence to willingly spend time playing, exploring, and enjoying games with others.
Read Games-based movement education: developing a sense of self, belonging, and community through games. Wayne Smith, Alan Ovens & Rod Philpot (2021). This paper presents the philosophy, content, and trialling of ‘MoveWell’. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2021.1886267