Nonlinear Pedagogy and the Athletic Skills Model: Contemporary Approaches for Understanding and Enhancing Physical Literacy

This book offers an ecological conceptualisation of physical literacy. Re-embracing our ancestry as hunter gatherers leads us to identify effective ways to develop children's physical literacy in the face of the multiple socio-cultural constraints that are interacting in the 21^st century to challenge the capacity of children, and people of all ages, in modern societies to live an active lifestyle.

Nonlinear Pedagogy and the Athletic Skills Model: Contemporary Approaches for Understanding and Enhancing Physical Literacy examines contemporary pedagogical approaches, such as constraints-led teaching,　nonlinear pedagogy and the athletic skills model, which are underpinned by the theoretical framework of ecological dynamics. It is suggested that through careful design, these models aimed at children, as well as young athletes, can (i) encourage and facilitate physical activity and motor learning in children of different ages, providing them with the foundational skills needed for leading active lives; and (ii), develop young athletes in elite sports programmes in an ethical, enriching and supportive manner.

Through this text, scientists, academics and practitioners in the sub-disciplines of motor learning and motor development, physical education, sports pedagogy and physical activity and exercise domains will better understand how to design programmes that develop the movement skills, self-regulating capacities, motivation and proficiency of people, so that they can move skilfully, effectively and efficiently while negotiating changes throughout the human lifespan.