Nature’s way-our way: A journey through the co-creation and sharing of an Indigenous physical literacy enriched early years initiative
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15402/esj.v11i1.70871Keywords:
Physical literacy, child development, early intervention, Indigenous research, two-eyed seeingAbstract
Early years are a critical time in the healthy development of young children. It is essential for children to develop healthy bonds with family members to increase well-being. Colonialism has resulted in the loss of many Indigenous activities, intergenerational teachings and relationship-building strategies that encourage wholistic health-promoting behaviours. Research focused on physical activity behaviours among early years children has had limited success. To address these challenges, the Western concept of physical literacy that applies a wholistic approach to physical activity by focusing on physical, social, emotional, and spiritual wellness can align with many Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing.
Purpose: Our multi-cultural team embarks on a journey to co-create, and expand a physical literacy enriched and culturally rooted initiative designed to promote wholistic wellness.
Methodology: Etuaptmumk (Two-eyed Seeing) guides the team through braiding Indigenous Ways of Knowing,Being and Doing in early childhood wellness and land- and nature-based games alongside Western knowledge of developing physical literacy and promoting risky/ adventurous play. We apply a pre-mid-post design for the meaningful evaluation of the Nature’s Way-Our Way initiative.
Impact: Partnering with communities, we aim to produce 40-45 activity cards to promote physical literacy and wholistic health in Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Amanda Froehlich Chow, Kathy Wahpepah, Louise Humbert , Natalie Houser, Mariana Brussoni, Marta Erlandson, Amanda Gannon, Ashley Larmour , Erica Stevenson, Kathryn Riley, Fatima Ali
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