PlaySport can be used at school, in the community and at home. Use the following tips and strategies to help enhance use and impact of the PlaySport activities.
Use small groups to maximize opportunities for participation.
When using several small groups, rather than one large group, all participants have the opportunity to be involved. This allows participants to work on their skills and build their confidence and competence.
Provide participants with the opportunity to take ownership for their learning.
Participant choice is an important element of PlaySport. To optimize the level of challenge for all participants, children and youth are encouraged and given opportunities to make their own adaptations to the activities (e.g., equipment used, size of the activity area, rules of the activity). Participant choice increases the opportunity for all participants to experience success and develop a valuable foundation for lifelong participation in physical activities.
Consider the developmental stage of your participants when selecting activities.
The PlaySport activities are categorized by division however it is important to factor in the skill level of your participants. Skill development is affected by experience, not age. The activity cards provide the opportunity for choice based on the participants and include suggestions for making an activity more or less challenging if necessary. This approach gives children and youth opportunities to experience versions of activities that are appropriate to their abilities, which support them in recognizing and applying skills, concepts and tactics learned to other games and activities.
Review the Safety Standards
Each activity includes safety information, further safety information can be accessed through the Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education. The Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education represent the minimum standards for risk management practice for school boards. They focus the attention of eductors, intramural supervisors and coaches on safe practices, in every activity, in order to minimize the element of risk.
Ask open-ended questions throughout the activity.
Use open-ended questions to help participants explore, discover, create and experiment with movement and tactical solutions. Examples have been included on each activity card.
