Physical activity plays an important role in the lives of children and young people:<\/p>\n
In recognition of the potential within this role, this guide sets out to create the framework for a co-ordinated approach to physical education, physical activity and sport in school and community settings for children and young people. It draws on the National Guidelines on Physical Activity for Ireland (2009), which outline the nature, frequency and intensity of physical activity to be engaged in for health benefits. Those guidelines form the foundation for this and related documents which seek to clarify the desired outcomes, in terms of knowledge, competencies and attitudes, of quality physical education, physical activity and sport.<\/p>\n
The formulation of this guide reflects the commitment of the Department of Education and Skills; the Department of Health; the Department of Children; and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to the promotion of children\u2019s well-being and interests. More specifically, this guide is an effort to realise the strengths that can be gained in terms of quality provision and experiences if common goals are promoted and pursued across a range of physical activity contexts3.<\/p>\n
It is envisaged that experiences across the three settings in this framework would support and reinforce each other. In this way, all children are provided with a clear accessible pathway for progression so that they can achieve their potential and live an active, healthy lifestyle. Reference is made to \u2018play\u2019 in the document, in recognition of the fact that young children often participate in physical activity in this way.<\/p>\n
The guide is targeted at:<\/p>\n
In this guide:<\/p>\n
The guide entails a suite of three documents – Get Active 1, Get Active 2 and Get Active 3 which are briefly described below. While they can be read on a stand-alone basis, they are best considered together.<\/p>\n
Get Active 1, Agreeing a vision for all to work towards, outlines the desired outcomes of children\u2019s and young people\u2019s participation in physical education and physical activity, and should be considered in line with the school\u2019s or club\u2019s mission and vision. These desired outcomes are intended to help users review the current position, as a basis for further action.<\/p>\n
Get Active 2, Developing a plan to achieve our vision, addresses the process of implementation, and guides users in terms of setting down targets, tasks, time frames, roles and responsibilities. This element of the guide is intended to help those involved in planning and delivering programmes to work together more effectively. Ideally, a school should develop its physical education and co-curricular physical activity programmes within the framework of its school plan as guided by its vision and aims.<\/p>\n
Get Active 3, Evaluating our progress, is intended to guide users in relation to the monitoring and evaluation of those programmes that are in place. Some of its elements may form the basis of an ongoing review process within the school and community, carried out in a systematic way, in order to improve programme effectiveness. Alternatively, it can help schools prepare for accreditation schemes such as the Active School Flag6 and Health Promoting Schools.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"