My STEP signature project involved me in my most passionate area of study. Exercise physiology and physical activity in children. I have always advocated for increased physical activity in our younger generation because not only does it increase physical literacy, but promotes healthy living and lifestyles. My research project with professor Jacqueline Goodway incorporated both these passions of mine into a study. Children go through “stages” of learning when it comes to movement in object control and locomotor skills such as running, hopping, kicking, batting, etc. In this study, we closely observed the stages in which children were in for different skills and compared them to the expected “age level skill” they should be at to conclude if they were advanced, on track, or delayed in their motor development.

As I grew up inactive and obese my self as a child, I had some preconceived assumptions as to how this research project would go and the effect it would have on me. I believed that I had already knew everything about the physical activity world for children and that growing up no one really had control as to how I developed physically other than myself. However, very quickly professor Goodway taught me that all children develop differently depending on a miriade of reasons. From socioeconomic living conditions, to cultures, to even home life can effect a child’s activity level and skill. I was transformed in my view on physical literacy amongst many cultures and circumstances.

Some interactions during my STEP signature project that led to my transformation were from the children specifically. The child pictured below is named James. James taught me many things about motor development in his life without even knowing it. As I observed James do different object control skills and loco-motor skills, I soon realized that his interactions with the physical world depended highly on his mental state. James is a very happy-go-lucky child with not a worry in the world. As we instructed him to do certain skills he would often not pay much attention and do things his “own way.”

When observed like this, James was considered underdeveloped in his skills to work and move. However, after slowing James down and instructing him to try and do well, James showed to be on track or advanced for his skills. This led me to think that many children have the ability to move correctly with optimal performance for their age, but they lack the instruction and leadership to cultivate them. This was done at the OSU child care center, however, if these programs were implemented in public schools across the nation, children would grow up knowing how to move better, therefore having an appreciation and likeness towards physical activity. It is shown in social studies that children and young kids who believe that they are not good at physical activity are less likely to participate in it. That leads to childhood obesity and a long road of inactivity for the rest of their lives. If we begin to educate the children in our schools and day cares about the importance and joys of physical activity we are able to slow down or even halt the ever growing obesity rate in this country.

These views affected me in a way that not only did it grow my passion to advocate for increased physical activity, but changed my approach. Previously, I would just advocate for increased daily activity levels. That being said, it is easier said than done. What are parents to do for their children? Simply telling them to move more will not solve the issue if they can not move effectively in a way that they intrinsically enjoy. Now, I can tell and teach others the different stages of motor development and how to properly advance their children in activity levels with instructions. This research study and STEP project not only changed my perspective on my passion, but reaffirmed it deeply.

This change is transformational to my life because it is what I plan to do in the future. I am currently a certified personal trainer and have adult clients that I meet with every week. So far in my career this is what I am doing to promote physical activity however I plan to expand and grow into different areas of activity. Now, I am able to talk to my clients and educate them on these stages and the findings from our research study. Some of my clients are parents and would love to share this information and implement it to their parenting. Moving forward, I plan to get a doctorate in physical therapy and use my platform to share and advocate for these transformational findings. In the future, I plan to work with patients and share this news with them as well as study more in the field of childhood obesity prevention.