Sensory Obstacle Courses to Promote Movement Concepts in Elementary Physical Education

Abstract

Sensory obstacle courses provide lesson ideas for teachers targeting objectives in both cognitive and psychomotor domains. Specific cognitive learning includes the movement concepts needed to navigate obstacles set up in the gymnasium aimed at developing athletic motor skills competences needed for sports. Sensory courses include using stations and obstacles where success involves using vision, hearing and touch to navigate the learning environment. Using these senses and combining with movement is supported by embodied learning where broader educational as well as physical education goals are targeted. How to set up the activity for all learners is the focus of this article, as well as providing ideas for assessment to help physical educators make use of sensory obstacle courses to promote learning in elementary school children.