How Physical Literacy can get our children moving for life
Children today have reduced opportunities for active play, a trend that threatens to undermine their physical health, social skills, and academic wellbeing.
In this context, Sport Ireland was proud to host the inaugural Physical Literacy Forum, which was titled “Getting Children to Move – A Collaborative Approach to Developing Physical Literacy.”
This landmark event gathered policy makers, researchers, academics, practitioners, and advocates from across Ireland, united by the goal of reversing negative trends and improving the health and wellbeing of our nation’s children through movement, play, and sport.
Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn at the Sport Ireland Physical Literacy Forum at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
The urgency of addressing these trends is underscored by the latest findings from the Irish Sports Monitor (ISM) 2024.
While adult sports participation has reached a record high, with 49% of adults now regularly playing sport and overall sedentarism at its lowest measured level (18%), the report also highlights persistent challenges.
Notably, two out of every five people are considered highly active, but this still leaves a substantial proportion of the population at risk due to inactivity.
Meanwhile, only 23% of primary school students and 12% of post-primary students meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, according to Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study 2022.
Sport Ireland Coaching Director Michael McGeehin addresses attendees during the Sport Ireland Physical Literacy Forum at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
The Department of Health’s National Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Ireland emphasise the importance of regular physical activity for children's health and development.
There is a need to foster lifelong engagement in more structured and skill-based physical activities from an early age.
The forum, held at the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown in west Dublin, addressed these disparities by focusing on physical literacy as a foundation for lifelong activity, recognising that children who develop motivation, confidence, physical skills, and understanding are far more likely to remain active throughout their lives.
Physical literacy is not just about physical skills — it encompasses confidence, motivation, understanding, and enjoyment, developed through consistent, positive experiences at home, in schools, in sport, healthcare, and communities.
Sport Ireland Coaching Children Lead Sheelagh Quinn addresses attendees during the Sport Ireland Physical Literacy Forum at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
The forum provided a vital platform for stakeholders from all these sectors to explore how collective action can embed physical literacy into children’s daily lives, ensuring equitable access and opportunity.
Key presentations included Dr Melanie McKee’s introduction of the All-Ireland Physical Literacy Consensus Statement and Dr Nalda Wainwright’s insights on early years motor development through the Mini Movers programme in Wales.
Clare Roberts of Sport Wales shared practical strategies for creating supportive environments that foster physical confidence and competence in children aged 3–11.
Coaching Ireland Head of Coaching Services Declan O'Leary addresses attendees during the Sport Ireland Physical Literacy Forum at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Discussions reinforced that physical literacy is both a gateway to and an outcome of lifelong engagement in physical activity.
The forum, which was held on May 16, made clear that, against the backdrop of rising obesity, changing activity patterns, and persistent inequalities, it is more important than ever to ensure that every child’s experience with movement is positive, inclusive, and meaningful.
Sport Ireland extends its thanks to all speakers, partners, and participants for their commitment to a shared vision: that every child in Ireland should have the opportunity to develop the motivation, confidence, skills, and knowledge needed to stay active for life. The Physical Literacy Forum marks a significant step forward in this national effort.
At the Sport Ireland Physical Literacy Forum at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin were, from left, Sport Ireland Coaching Director Michael McGeehin, Sport Wales Foundations and Participation Lead Clare Roberts, Sport Ireland Coaching Children Lead Sheelagh Quinn, Programme Coordinator and Senior Lecturer at Stranmillis University College, Melanie McKee, Associate Professor and director of the Wales Academy for health and physical literacy at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Dr Nalda Wainwright, and Coaching Ireland Head of Coaching Services Declan O'Leary. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile