Go for gold? – A badge for encouraging a lifetime of physical activity

Abstract

Introduction In 2013, the badge “Deutsches Sportabzeichen” was introduced with a totally renewed concept: Based on the four fundamental skills, stamina, rapidity, strength and coordination, there are different tasks for people from 6 years onwards to 70+, each demand is offered on the three different levels, gold, silver and bronze. The idea of the unisex badge is to find out what your individual physical and psychological capacity is like at the moment. Based on the requirements in artistic gymnastics – as one out of four sports offered in the Deutsches Sportabzeichen (DSA) – this paper will point out the chances of integrating the badge into primary school education. Experience Up to now, primary school teachers use the badge to test physical activity of their pupils. The teachers as well as the children go for gold only. However, they forget about long-time preparation as an important way to gain success. Critical analysis The badge is a useful tool to integrate into primary school education. However, most of the German teachers in primary school are not trained in physical education. If you give them a course, all of a sudden they love the badge and see the benefits to use it even at school, e.g. possible differentiation, special tasks in the age-groups 6/7, 8/9, 10/11, front-line experiences, critically remarks, chances for the teachers and self-assessment for the pupils. Conclusions To publish a badge is the first step that has to be followed by a concept of learning that can be understood even by teachers/people without any special training in physical education. If we want to foster fundamental skills, we have to show why they are fundamental life-long. One way could be through own physical experience of the teacher.