Scientific & Theoretical Knowledge
Physical education teacher candidates know and apply discipline-specific scientific and theoretical concepts critical to the development of physically educated individuals.
Element 1.3
Describe and apply motor development theory and principles related to skillful movement, physical activity, and fitness.
Artifact: Motor Development Lab Skill Assessment
Date: Fall 2010
Reflection: Motor Development (PED 201) is the first block class in the Physical Education Major at SUNY Cortland. During this class I was given the chance to observe the development of the basic locomotor skills in children. Six times throughout the semester I had the opportunity to work with the students at St. Mary’s School in Cortland, NY. I prepared and executed various games and activities that incorporated locomotion, manipulation and other themes. Each week I also observed my classmates teach different games that centered on a few certain locomotor skills. For example, for Lab #2 my classmates and I observed the locomotor skills of running, galloping and hopping. Three of my classmates were in charge of doing different games with the students that showed these different skills. Essentially we were critiquing the skills of the students and assessing what parts of the locomotor skills they were capable of and what parts of the skills they had not yet mastered. After observing the locomotor skills of children of different ages I can conclude that motor development is age related, but not age dependent. Some other factors that also affect motor development are sex of the individual as well as maturity, These assessments were a great exercise to do as teacher candidates because it is absolutely essential that physical educators know what skills their students are capable of in order to properly plan lessons.
