Adaptive Physical Education

Adaptive Physical Education supports:

Relationship and communication skills, gaining abilities to work as a team to complete a task.
Building muscular strength and tone, giving individuals the ability to be more active in their daily lives.
Studies have shown higher cognitive functioning of individuals after exercising.
Working on individual strengths and group recognition when goals are reached.
Stressing the importance of stretching and breathing along with the strength and cardio program for a well rounded program.
Building both gross and fine motor skill

Studies have shown physical activity will help students:
- find an outlet for their physical energy,
- cope with stress, anxiety and depression,
- experience increases in attention span, on-task behaviour, and level of correct responding,
- have positive changes in their health, quality of life and boost to their self-esteem.

Project H.O.P.E. has incorporated yoga into their programming. Since these sessions are for school aged children, their yoga may appear, and sound slightly modified to an adult or traditional class. I incorporate many of the same programming and design features as there would be in an APE class, and add a more focused breath, interaction, as well as a time for stillness.
Studies have shown yoga:
- decreases depression and anxiety,
- increases relaxation,
- supports language and communication,
- improves mood and supports positive behaviour.

OUR INSTRUCTOR

My name is Kelly and I am honoured to have been working with Project H.O.P.E. since 2009. My fitness certifications consist of AFLCA, CanFit Pro, and Yoga Alliance.

My passion is to enable each and every child to be active. Enhancing and maintaining a supportive environment in which the needs of students are met, as well as upholding the philosophies and quality of care of which all people have the right to.

I develop specialized programs for students living with with brain trauma, mental health issues, learning challenges, autism and more. The Adapted Physical Education (APE) Advisor’s primary aim is to evaluate, recognize, and contribute athletic experiences that will stimulate the most inclusive positive response from students in the areas of: communication, fine and gross motor skills, movement, interaction, motivation and with awareness of self-worth.

APE is the art and science of developing, implementing, and monitoring a designed movement program for an individual(s) with physical, communicative, behavioural, emotional, cognitive and/or social challenges. I will involve creative movement using the student’s own body and occasionally physical education equipment, guided by the PE curriculum. Encouraging both fine and gross motor movements which the student can carry forward into their life outside of the education system. My primary aim is exposing students to physical activity in a manner that will encourage a healthy lifestyle beyond the school system, into adulthood, with various modalities.