JUNIOR SCHOOL
AN INTRODUCTION TO BASIC MOVEMENT PATTERNS SCOTCH ’ S PREP PERCEPTUAL MOTOR PROGRAM IN ACTION
The sporting and Physical Education experiences offered to our Junior School boys commence the moment they enter the school . Young boys take to sport like ducks to water . In their first year of schooling , Prep boys are immersed in sport from their first day . During Physical Education lessons , a variety of skills are developed , including movement and climbing skills , balance activities , strength development , ball skills and coordination . Development of these skills is sequential and regular reinforcement occurs .
The Perceptual Motor Program ( PMP ) is offered to Prep students as part of the Term 3 Physical Education program . This program is run over six to seven weeks , with boys usually attending two sessions per week . This participation allows for the essential reinforcement of all coordination and motor skills and is based on frequent and regular reinforcement . This reinforcement occurs through the generous support of Prep parent helpers . This explanation of the program sets out why PMP is so important , as well as explaining some of the specific details of the program .
What is PMP ?
For a child to learn , the mind and body must work together , which is why a perceptual motor program is important in the early years . This program focuses on developing the whole child rather than just motor skills . Perceptual deals with obtaining information and motor refers to the outcome of the movement . Perceptual motor activities require children to use their brain and body together to accomplish tasks . PMP connects students with a variety of exercises and physical activities that are targeted at improving their perception , as well as their fine and gross motor skills . Language is a key factor in the program by providing knowledge about the motor experiences . Without the focus
of language , the program would just be a physical program . Perceptual motor training provides the child with a wide range of experiences in seeing , touching , hearing , making perceptual judgments and reacting . Through PMP , children develop perceptions and understandings of their world through the movement and motor experiences .
Why is PMP important ?
Learning movement skills in primary schools leads to a greater possibility of learning more specialised skills for participation in physical activity in later life . PMP is important as it addresses the introduction to basic movement patterns .
The Scotch Perceptual Motor Program
By researching existing programs and theory , our PMP has a combination of original material and activities adapted from similar programs , particularly those used for prep children . Accordingly , a good Perceptual Motor Program should include :
• Skill sequence
• Safety
• Variety
• Challenge
The parents who assisted with the implementation of this year ’ s PMP received training prior to their engagement in our program , which helped all the students to achieve sustained improvement in their physical development over a relatively short timeframe . That we were able to have so many parent helpers , often six to eight parent helpers at each session , was significantly beneficial for the Prep students , and was instrumental in the success of the program .
DEAN GREGORY – JUNIOR SCHOOL TEACHER , PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ENRICHMENT MATHEMATICS
24 Great Scot Issue 172 – Edition 2 2024