Instruct children in health related exercise and physical activity

URN: SKAEAF7
Business Sectors (Suites): Exercise and fitness
Developed by: SkillsActive
Approved on: 2021

Overview

​This standard is about instructing health related exercise and physical activity sessions for children in the age range 5-15 inclusive.

The main outcomes of this standard are:

  1. prepare children and environment for exercise and physical activity

  2. instruct children in exercise and physical activity

  3. close and reflect upon instructing children in exercise and physical activity

This standard is for instructors who prepare, instruct and review health related exercise and physical activity sessions for children.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

​1. prepare the environment and self for the physical activity session

  1. Identify and select safe and correct equipment for the physical activity session

3. create a positive environment for all children to take part in physical activity

  1. follow legal and organisational procedures for registering attendance

  2. identify any new children, checking their level of experience and ability to undertake the session

  3. carry out the appropriate screening process and collect any new

    information relating to the childrens' readiness to take part in the
    physical activity

7. inform the parent or carer of reasons why a child should not participate in the session

  1. brief children on planned activities and provide ground rules for behaviour

  2. provide information about the facility's emergency procedures and health and safety requirements for the session

  3. confirm or revise your plans for the session, as a result of information gathered from children, parent or carer to ensure physical activity opportunity is relevant for children's needs

  4. give explanations and demonstrations to the children to ensure that the activities are performed safely and correctly

  5. provide the children with effective instruction, teaching and motivational strategies to carry out the physical activity session safely and effectively

  6. give the children the opportunity to ask questions and respond to their queries

  7. adhere to the planned timings for the session

  8. follow legal and organisational procedures during the session

  9. respond to children's' performance and provide progressions or regressions to improve confidence and motivation to achieve the session objectives

17. give guidance to the children to ensure progressive physical skills are achieved by the build-up of physical activities

  1. observe and manage the children's behaviour throughout the session

  2. provide guidance and feedback in a positive manner which helps the children achieve their objectives

  3. give the children the opportunity to reflect on the session and provide feedback to improve self-awareness and understanding

  4. give the children a summary of your feedback on the session
    22. ensure the children have details about future physical activity sessions

  5. leave the environment in a condition acceptable for future use by yourself or others

  6. refer any health, safety or welfare issues in accordance with legal and organisational procedures


Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

​1. the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere

  1. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role

  2. the principles of anatomy and physiology including skeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, energy and digestive system

  3. how to apply anatomy and physiology when delivering safe and effective sessions for a range of children

  4. the components of health related fitness and how to apply these into a programme of exercise to suit your children's' needs

  5. the health benefits of physical activity and risks of inactivity

  6. the general healthy eating advice that can be given to children based on credible sources

  7. ways of identifying and preparing safe and correct equipment and environments for the physical activity session

9. how to create a positive environment which will allow the children to have the confidence to take part

  1. legal and organisational procedures for registering attendance

  2. why you would identify any new participants

  3. methods of screening and collecting any new information relating to the children

  4. the occasions when you would advise a parent and or carer of reasons why a child should not participate in the session

  5. the details you would provide to the children about planned activities 

  6. how to set ground rules for behaviour

  7. how to confirm or revise your plans for the session so participants can take part in physical activity sessions

  8. why you might need to revise your plans for the session

  9. ways of developing and maintaining a stimulating atmosphere for children of this age group

  10. how to give explanations and demonstrations to ensure that activities are performed safely and correctly

  11. how to encourage children of this age group

  12. different types of instructing and teaching methods and how they can be used to meet the children's needs

  13. when to give children the opportunity to ask questions and respond to their queries

  14. how to deliver exercise and physical activity sessions that are safe, effective and relate to the children's needs

  15. ways of ensuring equal attention and encouragement to all children

25. observation techniques that will assist with the monitoring of safety and effectiveness of the exercise and physical activity

  1. a range of alternative exercises and adaptations, including progressions or regressions to ensure the children are confident and motivated to take part

  2. ways of gradually building up physical activities to ensure physical literacy are achieved

  3. techniques for observing and managing children's behaviour throughout the session

  4. when to provide guidance and feedback to help the children achieve their objectives

  5. the methods of gathering feedback from children and others

  6. ways of providing children with a summary of your feedback on the session

32. why you should give children the opportunity to reflect on the session and provide feedback to promote self-awareness and understanding

  1. why the children should have information about future sessions

34. ways of leaving the environment in a condition acceptable for future use by yourself or others

  1. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability

Scope/range


Scope Performance

​Motivational Strategies

  1. intrinsic

  2. extrinsic

  3. goal setting

  4. incentives / rewards

  5. behaviour change

Objectives

  1. improve social skills

  2. encourage personal development

  3. improve skills and techniques

  4. provide opportunities for fun and enjoyment

  5. improve health

  6. improve physical literacy


Scope Knowledge

Methods

  1. interview

  2. questionnaire

  3. verbal screening

  4. observation


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary

Physical Literacy

Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life


Links To Other NOS

​This standard links to SKAEAF2, SKAEAF8 and SKAEAF20


External Links


Version Number

3

Indicative Review Date

2024

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

SkillsActive

Original URN

SKAEF12

Relevant Occupations

Coach / Instructor, Sport, Leisure and Recreation, Sports and Fitness Occupations

SOC Code

3433

Keywords

Instruct; health; exercise; physical activity; children