International practice
International strategies, policies, programs, reports and research relating to physical literacy.
- The Global Physical Literacy Action Framework, opens in a new tab, Led by Deakin University’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (accessed 21 September 2026). This international consensus framework was developed to align and strengthen efforts to promote physical literacy worldwide. It provides a shared roadmap for researchers, policymakers, educators, health professionals and sport organisations by identifying the goals, principles and actions needed to support meaningful physical activity and movement participation across the lifespan.
- Global Matrix 4.0, opens in a new tab, Active Health Kids Global Alliance, (November 2018). Released in Abu Dhabi, UAE on October 24, 2022, the Global Matrix 4.0 is the most comprehensive assessment of global variation in child and youth physical activity. The comparison involved 570 experts who produced 57 country report cards, grading 10 common indicators related to the physical activity of children and youth. The resulting report examines global patterns, and highlights how our changing world is affecting children’s physical activity levels. Increases in digital screen time, the growing urbanization of communities and a growing reliance on technology are taking up crucial time that could be better spent engaged in a wide range of physical activities.
- A Common Vision for increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary living in Canada: Let’s Get Moving, opens in a new tab, Government of Canada, (May 2018). The Common Vision is guided by five interdependent principles that are foundational to increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary living. They include Physical Literacy, Life Course, Population Approach, Evidence-based and Emergent-focused and Motivations. Physical literacy is the foundation for an active lifestyle and is a life-long journey. It is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life. Greater physical literacy results in more opportunities for physical activity. Like literacy and numeracy, the acquisition of movement skills early on is easier and lasts longer. Increasing physical literacy in the early stages of development, including through quality daily physical education in school, is key to achieving the goal of the Common Vision.
- Active for Life, opens in a new tab. This is a national movement in Canada that promotes physical literacy. Being physically literate is the foundation for being successful in any sport. By providing expert advice, inspirational tips and activity ideas, Active for Life helps parents to encourage their children to get the recommended amount of daily physical activity. Research has shown that physically literate kids have more fun being active, and that makes them more likely to stay active for life. Active for Life tip sheets include:
- 6 ways babies develop physical literacy in their first year, opens in a new tab—regular movement is essential to healthy infant brain development; a parent’s job is to stimulate and encourage age-appropriate movement in the right ways at the right times throughout the first year.
- Physical literacy checklist: 0-2 years, opens in a new tab—there are a number of basic fundamental movement skills that an infant should be learning and mastering, they are: grasping, rolling over, sitting, crawling, holding on to larger objects to support their body weight to develop balance, and walking.
- Physical literacy checklist: 2-4 years, opens in a new tab—movement skills that a toddler should learn and master include: running, throwing, catching, kicking, swimming, and balancing.
- Physical literacy checklist: 4-6 years, opens in a new tab—basic fundamental movement skills that a preschool child should learn and master are: running with confidence, throwing and catching, falling and tumbling, hopping and jumping, skipping, and cycling.
- Physical literacy checklist: 6-9 years, opens in a new tab—different sports place an emphasis on different movement skills, a young child should learn and master a range of skills that include: striking sports, dribbling sports, gymnastics, balance sports (i.e. surfing, skiing, skateboard), aquatic sports, and skating or cycling sports.
- Individual physical literacy lesson plans, opens in a new tab—a range of age-specific lesson plans for educators, caregivers, camp leaders, and after-school program leaders who want to deliver physical literacy instruction to children.
- Canada’s Physical Literacy Consensus Statement, opens in a new tab, Canadian Sport for Life (June 2015). The Consensus Statement provides a uniform definition with consistent language to help clarify what physical literacy means, for the development of policy, practice and research. “Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life.” Motivation and confidence refers to an individual’s enthusiasm for, enjoyment of, and self-assurance in adopting physical activity as an integral part of life. Physical competence refers to an individual’s ability to develop movement skills and patterns, and the capacity to experience a variety of movement intensities and durations. Enhanced physical competence enables an individual to participate in a wide range of physical activities and settings. Knowledge and understanding includes the ability to identify and express the essential qualities that influence movement, understand the health benefits of an active lifestyle, and appreciate appropriate safety features associated with physical activity in a variety of settings and physical environments. Engagement in physical activities for life refers to an individual taking personal responsibility for physical literacy by freely choosing to be active on a regular basis. This involves prioritising and sustaining involvement in a range of meaningful and personally challenging activities, as an integral part of one’s lifestyle. There are five core principles that underlie the definition of physical literacy: (1) it’s an inclusive concept, assessable to all; (2) it represents a unique journey for each individual; (3) it can be cultivated and enjoyed through a range of experiences in different environments and contexts; (4) it needs to be valued and nurtured throughout life, and; (5) it contributes to the development of the whole person.
- Understanding Physical Literacy: A Canadian Perspective, opens in a new tab, Canadian Sport for Life (September 2024). This document supports the understanding and implementation the Canadian Physical Literacy Consensus Statement (2015) by addressing 13 common questions about physical literacy.
- Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy, opens in a new tab, Patti-Jean Naylor & Viviene Temple (eds.), BMC Public Health, Volume 18(Supplement 2), (2018). Includes 14 articles relating to physical literacy in the Canadian environment.
- Canadian Sport for Life, Physical Literacy Resources, opens in a new tab. This webpage contains links to resources for parents, coaches, teachers and organisations.
- Movewell, opens in a new tab, Sport New Zealand, (accessed 9 September 2026). The Movewell resource assists those involved with implementing activities to support and extend children’s learning, confidence, ability, and enjoyment in movement. The resource uses an enjoyable, games-centred approach to develop children’s knowledge, attitudes and movement skills. Movewell is the outcome of collaboration between Sport NZ, Physical Education New Zealand, the Accident Compensation Corporation of New Zealand, and is supported by the Ministry of Education.
- Physical Literacy Approach: Guidance for quality physical activity and sport experiences, opens in a new tab, Sport New Zealand, (2015). The Sport NZ Physical Literacy Approach takes a holistic view of the participant that considers their physical; social and emotional; cognitive; and spiritual needs. By understanding that these dimensions influence the needs of every participant, within their specific environments, we can provide physical activity and sport experiences that inspire ongoing participation.
- Play, opens in a new tab, Sport New Zealand (accessed 25 September 2026). Play is one of Sport New Zealand’s four approaches to supporting physical activity. It provides children with opportunities to develop physical, social and life skills through enjoyable, self-directed experiences that foster fun, creativity and connection. Sport NZ promotes the importance of play and supports environments and communities that enable tamariki to play. This initiative provides a range of information, stories and resources to support children's engagement in play.
- Active Lives Surveys, opens in a new tab, Sport England. Sport England runs two surveys annually; Active Lives Children and Young People Survey and Active Lives Adult Survey, The surveys measure sport and physical activity across England.
- National Youth Sports Strategy, opens in a new tab, US Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, (2019). At the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' our goal is to get as many youth as possible moving and meeting the Physical Activity Guidelines and to ensure that 100 percent of American youth have the opportunity to experience the benefts of playing sports. We are taking the first step by developing the NYSS, and we encourage others to take action as well. Together, we can create a culture in which sports are safe, fun, inclusive, developmentally appropriate, and accessible for all American youth. The importance of physical literacy to provide the skills, confidence and desire to be physically active for life is highlighted throughout the strategy.
- Physical Literacy in the United States: A model, strategic plan, and call to action, opens in a new tab, Project Play, The Aspen Institute, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2015). This white paper provides the rationale (call to action), model (what seems to work), and strategy (how to) for a national initiative to promote physical literacy in the United States. Particular attention is given to vulnerable populations, including children from low-income families, youth from racial and ethnic minorities, girls, and children facing physical or developmental challenges. It conceptualises a path forward, a journey that will require sustained commitment and coordination from a number of sectors.
- Project Play, opens in a new tab, The Aspen Institute. Launched in 2013, Project Play develops insights, ideas and opportunities to help stakeholders build healthy communities through sports. This initiative provides a number of reports, fact sheets, and case studies capturing key insights on topics associated with getting children more active.
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