Debbie Garea Fundamentals Advisor Sport Bay of Plenty

Pupils at Kaimai School are thrilled to be involved in the GO4it programme, run by Sport Bay of Plenty.

GO4it is a fundamental movement programme that develops life-long skills required for participation in sport and recreation.

Delivered by regional sports organisations and expert coaches, GO4it upskills children, teachers and coaches across a variety of skillsets, including Move it and Leg it for Year 0-2 pupils and Kick it, Pass it and Hit it for those in Years 3-6.

Throughout the year the children at Kaimai School receive regular instruction on various skill areas and across a variety of sports codes.

Currently, the pupils are involved in six one-hour sessions in Leg it – using the New Zealand Athletics' Get Set Go programme.

The Get Set Go programme enables teachers to teach fundamental movement skills and plan relevant learning experiences appropriate to the pupil's needs.

Get Set Go national manager Karen Laurie says the overall goal is to have every child confident and competent in these basic skills so they're able to enjoy all sports and an active lifestyle.

'Every study has shown that simply narrowing kids' options into one particular sport, when developmentally they are not ready, does nothing to develop their sports skills for later in life.

'Instead, we should be helping children develop a broad range of basic movement and coordination sports skills for children through an approach that fits with their young age,” says Karen.

'We should also be developing the cognitive and social skills they need to successfully participate in sports.

'These skills are the building blocks they need to ultimately pursue whichever sports activity they like.”

Kaimai School's Room 2 teacher Bev Silverton says Leg it has been very successful.

'The students are currently linking their classroom learning in the area of virtues to the Leg it sessions.

'This term's virtue is participation. The students describe how they participate in activities, including Leg it, and are very supportive of each other when demonstrating how they participate,” says Bev.

'My students eagerly await our weekly Leg It session. The lesson progressions are logical and the children are aware of how they are improving with running, jumping, hopping and skipping skills.”

Bev says facilitator Jack is amazing – 'he knows each child's name and makes his comments really personalised”.

'He encourages everyone and provides useful, constructive encouragement and positive reinforcement,” says Bev.

She says the lessons flow in smooth sequence using a variety of different equipment.

'Jack always demonstrates a new skill and allows time for questions and clarification so that the children are clear about expectations.”

For more information about the Sport Bay of Plenty GO4it Programme, see: http://www.sportbop.co.nz/GO4it