Innovative approaches to physical education: Collaboration between applied physical education students and young learners from basic primary and nursery school
As part of the course Psychomotor Skills and Didactics of Applied Physical Education, students enrolled in the combined (part-time) form of the follow-up master’s programme explore effective ways of using physical activities to support the holistic development of children and other target groups. As a part of their practical training, an inspiring visit took place recently, involving pupils from grades 5 to 7 of the Basic Primary and Nursery School (ZŠ a MŠ Basic), facilitated by programme graduate Ms. Lenka Valentová.
This collaboration served as a meaningful example of the connection between academic instruction and real-world pedagogical practice. Lenka Valentová, currently working as a teacher at the aforementioned school, drew on her university training and enabled her pupils to participate in a joint programme prepared and delivered by master’s students. This provided the students with a unique opportunity to apply and reflect on their acquired didactic and psychomotor competencies in a real-life educational setting.
The students designed a series of non-traditional physical activities for the visiting pupils, aimed not only at enriching the conventional physical education lesson, but primarily at fostering the development of psychomotor skills, cooperation, spatial orientation, and the joy of movement. The programme was created with a strong emphasis on inclusivity—each activity was structured to be appropriate for a wide range of age groups, including children with special educational needs. In doing so, the students demonstrated their ability to purposefully plan and implement movement programmes that respond to a diverse spectrum of individual needs.
All the skills applied during this practical session are systematically developed through the course Psychomotor Skills, led by Mgr. Gabriela Gregorovič, and the course Didactics of Applied Physical Education, taught by Mgr. Alena Skotáková, Ph. D., both instructors emphasize the practical applicability of theoretical knowledge, encourage creative approaches, and promote pedagogical sensitivity.
This activity not only enriched the students’ practical experience, but also highlighted the value of effective integration between higher education and school-based practice. It further underscored the vital role of creativity, inclusivity, and expert guidance in contemporary approaches to physical education.
