PlaySport has been designed for use in physical education settings, but can be adapted for use in other settings (e.g., intramural, recreation, community, or after-school programs) provided appropriate measures to adhere to the safety criteria within the activities are implemented.
Use these tips and strategies to help enhance the use and impact of PlaySport activities:
- Use various groupings and configurations to maximize opportunities for participation.
Use parallel play, pairs, or small groups, rather than one large group, to provide all participants with equitable opportunity to be involved. This allows participants to build physical literacy, confidence, and competence when playing cooperatively with others. - Provide participants with the opportunity to take ownership of their learning.
Participant choice is an important element of PlaySport. To optimize fun, engagement, and challenge, participants are encouraged and given opportunities to co-develop the activity by selecting various options for how to play (e.g., choice of equipment, size of the activity area, how to send an object) and by selecting or creating their own variations of the activities (e.g., changing rules of play, adding equipment). Participant choice increases the opportunity for all to experience success and develop a valuable foundation for lifelong participation in physical activities.
- Consider the developmental stage of participants when selecting activities and/or when co-creating activities with participants.
PlaySport activities identify the appropriate divisions for which the activity is suited. However, it is important to factor in the skill level of participants. Skill development is affected by experience, not biological age. The activity cards provide the opportunity for choice based on participants’ needs and include variations for facilitators to consider to best meet the diverse backgrounds, identities, and interests of participants to maximize the fun, inclusion, participation, and success of everyone. Facilitators are encouraged to share the variations with participants so they may determine how they would like to play the game.
This approach gives participants opportunities to experience multiple versions of activities that are appropriate for their abilities. It also supports them in recognizing and applying skills, concepts, and strategies learned to other games and activities.
- Review and apply all relevant safety standards.
Review the key safety information on each activity card to take appropriate measures to implement the safety criteria required for participants to engage safely in the activity.
Access the “Safety” section in the menu to review additional safety considerations to establish an equitable, inclusive, and safe learning environment and implement safe instructional practices before engaging participants in PlaySport activities.
- Ask open-ended questions throughout activities to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Use the “Pause for Learning” section questions as an opportunity to help participants explore, discover, create, and experiment with key movement and tactical solutions. This exploration helps foster the joy of movement, inclusion, and meaningful participation in physical activity.