Course Description
In this course, students will develop a basic working knowledge of physical growth and motor development from a life span perspective. The course will challenge students to think critically about the many variables related to optimal growth and development and physical activity throughout the lifespan as they develop strategies to promote motor development in every individual.
Course Content
1. Theories of Motor Development
- Newell's model of constraints
- Individual, task, and environmental constraints
- Dynamical systems approach and perception-action approach
- Research methodologies related to physical growth and development
2. Physical Growth
- Prenatal and postnatal growth
- Growth curves and the implications for participation in physical activity
- The effects of puberty on physical growth and on participation in physical activity
- The development of individual systems throughout the lifespan
- The effects of physical fitness and training on motor abilities
3. Early Motor Development
- Infant development and movement
- Involuntary movements, reflexes, and voluntary movement
- Motor milestone development in babies
- Individual, task, and environmental constraints in relation to the development of motor milestones
4. Laws of Motion and Stability and Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS)
- Newton's laws of motion and stability
- Stability and balance throughout the lifespan
- Law's of motion and stability in the development of proficient movement skills
- Human locomotory movements (walking, running, jumping)
- Ballistic skills (throwing, kicking, punting, striking)
- Manipulative skills (grasping, reaching, catching)
- Videos and image analysis to identify errors in fundamental movement skills
- Designing games and activities to aid in the development of proficient movement patterns
5. Sociocultural and Psychosocial Development
- Sociocultural constraints in clothing, toys, games, sports, and overall motor development opportunities
- Sociocultural and psychological constraints on lifespan development
- Perceptual-motor development and its implications for participation in physical activity
- Self-esteem and self-concept on participation in physical activities and on motor development
Means of Assessment
Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:
| Examinations |
10-40% |
| Movement analysis |
5-20% |
| Applied case study |
5-25% |
| Application of FMS |
0-25% |
| Learning activities/participation |
0-25% |
| TOTAL |
100% |
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Describe human physical growth and the implications to participation in physical activity over the lifespan.
2. Describe human motor development and the implications to participation in physical activity over the
lifespan.
3. Analyze fundamental movement patterns.
4. Use Dartfish to understand and analyze human movement.
5. Examine human physical growth and motor development in applied practice
Upon completion of this course, a successful student will be able to:
- Describe human physical growth and the implications to participation in physical activity over the lifespan.
- Describe human motor development and the implications to participation in physical activity over the lifespan.
- Identify individual, task, and environmental contraints influencing individuals growth and development throughout the lifespan.
- Identify major errors in fundamental movement skills.
- Design a basic lesson for improving fundamental movement skills and encouraging lifelong participation in physical activity.
- Explain human physical growth and motor development through applied practice.
Textbook Materials
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbook and materials include:
- Haywood, K.M. and Getchell, N. Lifespan Motor Development (current edition). Champaign, IL. Human Kinetics