Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan, instruct and evaluate movement programs for children aged between five and twelve years. It requires the ability to supervise young children in small groups participating in movement programs designed to promote functional movement, physical activity and general health.
This unit does not apply to the instruction of children in the use of fitness or gym equipment typically found in gyms and other fitness facilities.
This unit applies to fitness instructors who work in a variety of fitness locations such as fitness, leisure and community centres. These individuals typically work independently with some level of autonomy in a controlled environment. Work is performed according to relevant legislation including working with children and/or vulnerable people checks, and organisational policies and procedures.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Determine the movement requirements of children. | 1.1 Consider and confirm needs, expectations and preferences of participants, parents and/or carers using suitable questioning techniques. 1.2 Implement appropriate pre-exercise screening or assessment procedures for children prior to participation in movement program. 1.3 Clarify any risk factors or precautions identified in pre-exercise screening or assessment in consultation with parents and/or carers. 1.4 Refer children to medical or allied health professionals as required. 1.5 Select and use appropriate baseline functional activity assessments, as required. |
2. Plan movement session. | 2.1 Determine type of training, training methods and equipment required to achieve movement program goals. 2.2 Identify and discuss the need for parent/carer assistance and/or attendance during the session. 2.3 Select suitable functional movement activities and games for active play to meet participant needs. 2.4 Determine instructional techniques appropriate to participants. 2.5 Develop and document movement session plans that incorporate consideration of precautions and instructional information. |
3. Instruct movement session. | 3.1 Allocate sufficient space, assemble resources and check equipment for safety and maintenance requirements. 3.2 Provide clear exercise instructions and communicate benefits of movement and active play for participants and parents and/or carers. 3.3 Demonstrate movement techniques, activities or games including equipment where appropriate. 3.4 Monitor participation and provide children with assistance to perform movements, activities or games as required. 3.5 Select and use communication techniques that encourage a fun, interactive and inclusive environment for participation. 3.6 Monitor participation to ensure safety and optimise effectiveness and enjoyment and modify as required. 3.7 Identify signs of intolerance during movement activity and modify or cease as appropriate. 3.8 Respond to children and parents and/or carers questions as required. 3.9 Complete movement session documentation. |
4. Evaluate movement session. | 4.1 Monitor and evaluate movement session at appropriate intervals. 4.2 Evaluate exercise session according to participant, parent or carer feedback, professional judgement and outcomes of sessions. 4.3 Review own performance and identify areas needing improvement. 4.4 Identify aspects needing further emphasis or attention in future sessions. 4.5 Evaluate program or activities and discuss modifications to future sessions with parent and/or carer. 4.6 Document and update records of evaluation and modification. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
plan, document, implement and evaluate at least five suitable movement programs based around active play and promotion of movement experience for children
conduct small group movement sessions that incorporate:
use of industry endorsed pre-exercise screening or assessment procedures for children prior to participation
functional movements, games and play that reflect appropriate developmental stages of children:
throwing
jumping
kicking
running
skipping
hopping
climbing
demonstration, explanation, and instruction of activities and games relevant to age group
suitable order and sequence of activities
appropriate session structure variations
suitable duration, intensity, volume
appropriate equipment, if applicable
appropriate music selection, where appropriate
developmental stages of children and adolescents and age variations in physical, mental and social abilities
movement correction, as required
modify movement programs, addressing at least two of the following:
feedback received from children, parents and/or carers
signs and symptoms of intolerance
physical changes and health conditions
accommodation of the social changes that occur with children.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
legislative and regulatory requirements regarding specific population exercise participation:
working with children and vulnerable people
privacy
anti-discrimination
work health and safety/occupational health and safety
duty of care
organisational policies and procedures in regards to specific population exercise participation:
overcrowding
ventilation and/or climate control
hygiene
emergency
standards of personal presentation
participant’s clothing and footwear
use, care and maintenance of equipment
industry endorsed client pre-exercise screening processes
industry endorsed risk stratification procedures, exercise implications and referral requirements for:
low-risk clients
moderate risk clients
higher risk clients
when there are extreme or multiple risk factors present and professional judgement to decide whether further medical advice is required identification of clients at high or higher risk of an adverse event occurring during exercise
physical activity and exercise intensity and frequency guidelines
signs and symptoms of exercise intolerance and appropriate management strategies
anatomy and physiology related to children:
thermoregulation
cardiovascular system
musculoskeletal system
nervous system
respiratory system
principles of paediatric and exercise science to enable selection of exercises appropriate to participant characteristics and needs:
growth and maturation
coordination development and control
stability
posture in children
fundamental skills
aerobic capacity
stages of growth and development in children to enable effective planning of programs and selection of games or activities:
physical
social
emotional
principles of exercise program design to enable development of a program for a specific age group
signs and symptoms of injuries typical to children aged twelve years and under:
sprains
osteochondroses (severs, patellofemoral pain syndrome, legg-calve-perthes)
shoulder instability
joint hypermobility
appropriate considerations for the selection of exercise repertoire relevant to stages of growth and development, age variation and risk of injury to participants incorporating:
contraindications and modifications
variations to provide different intensities
level of participant skill required
potential for combinations
movement implications of age and stages of growth and development:
changes in growth rate
effect of exercise on:
growth and development
social development
coordination and motor development
behavioural change and social needs
physiological characteristics of the child through developmental stages
communication and instructional skill difficulties
movement requirements for different stages of development
injury risks related to movement participation of children:
inadequate skill and physical preparation
overtraining
biomechanics and movement technique
physical and mental preparation
fatigue and recovery
suitable alternative options to suggest to parents and/or careers in situations where the child:
cannot participate safely
negatively affects the safety of other participants
has needs beyond the aims of the program
motivational techniques suitable for children:
goal setting
positive feedback
foundation of play in session prescription.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in:
a fitness industry workplace or simulated environment that offers a variety of appropriate services and facilities and equipment suitable for children.
Assessment must ensure use of:
a variety of equipment appropriate for use by children, e.g. balls and skipping ropes
organisational policies and procedures related to working with children
manufacturer guidelines on equipment safety and usage
industry endorsed risk stratification procedures
session plan templates with space to identify modifications/adjustments needed
an appropriate area for the delivery of movement programs
participants; these can be:
participants in the workplace, or
individuals who participate in project activities, role plays or simulated activities, set up for the purpose of assessment, within a training organisation.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors, and:
have achieved a Certificate IV in Fitness or above; and
have at least 1 year consecutive post qualification fitness industry experience in the application of the skills and knowledge of the Certificate IV in Fitness.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
SKILLS | DESCRIPTION |
Reading skills to: | interpret organisational policies and procedures to determine and confirm roles and responsibilities in regards to movement program and supervision of children within the fitness facility or organisation. |
Oral communication skills to: | provide accurate information to children and parents and/or carers interact with children and parents and/or carers in an appropriate manner encourage participants in a manner appropriate to child’s age and understanding. |
Numeracy skills to: | work within time schedules of facilities and program requirements allow sufficient time for children to complete movement games or activities, whilst maintaining suitable timing of session. |
Planning and organising skills to: | select and prepare appropriate movement repertoire, games and equipment for movement sessions suitable to the needs, coordination, size and abilities of young children. |
Sectors
Fitness
Competency Field
Fitness