Nature’s way-our way: A journey through the co-creation and sharing of an Indigenous physical literacy enriched early years initiative

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 st...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Engaged scholar journal (Print) 2025-01, Vol.11 (1), p.18-35
Main Authors: Froehlich Chow, Amanda, Wahpepah, Kathy, Humbert, Louise, Houser, Natalie, Brussoni, Mariana, Erlandson, Marta, Gannon, Amanda, Larmour, Ashley, Stevenson, Erica, Riley, Kathryn, Ali, Fatima
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
child development
early intervention
Indigenous research
Physical literacy
two-eyed seeing
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Summary: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. 
ISSN:2369-1190
2368-416X
DOI:10.15402/esj.v11i1.70871