The NWU is a multi-campus university with a footprint across two provinces. The Mafikeng and Potchefstroom Campuses are situated in the North-West Province and the Vaal Triangle Campus is in Gauteng. The head office, known as the Institutional Office, is in Potchefstroom, situated near the Potchefstroom Campus. Today, the NWU is recognized as one of the best-managed and most innovative universities in South Africa. We continue to celebrate and encourage multiculturalism, multilingualism and multi nationalism.

South-African Professional Institute of Kinderkinetics

Dr. Anita Pienaar and Dr. Dane Coetzee presented Kinderkinetics and outlined the various examples including research centers, school programs, and workshop demonstrations with NWU Kinderkinetics students.

About Kinderkinetics

Kinderkinetics is a profession that aims to promote and optimise the neuromotoric development of young children (0-12 years), through scientifically based physical activity.

Kinderkinetics training within the Kinderkinetics programme is structured around the developmental needs of children of different ages, since developmental needs and neuromotoric development of children differ drastically at different ages, as well as the programme content that focuses on typical and atypical development in children.

Kinderkinetics research center located on the campus of NWU

Two school visits were organized with the understanding that community immersion accelerates solutions

Dr. Dane Coetzee explains the Kinderkinetics Pre-school program implemented in schools across Africa.

Pre-school programme is designed for children between the ages of 2 and 7 years and is conducted in a group setting. The focus is on the child's gross motor development and the purpose of the programme is to ensure the optimal development of young children.

Wellness programme is for older children between the ages of 10 and 14 years that assists in the development of a healthy balanced lifestyle. Programmes are in group format. The aim of the programme is to make active children into active adults.

Often as in many communities, inequalities exist for many reasons requiring different solutions and resources. It’s important as advisors that we visit these communities and learn from local educators and students how they succeed with little resources.

Children were introduced to the NFL Play60 initiative connecting and keeping kids active 60 minutes a day through sports.

As advisors, it’s important we engage and listen to ideas from young voices for better global well-being.

Special Thanks to the NWU team!

The Global Forum for Physical Education Pedagogy 2014 (GoFPEP 2014) will focus on the identification and sharing of “best practices” to advance health and physical education pedagogy, especially in its relationship with the community. The theme of GoFPEP 2014 is “Physical Education and Health: Promoting Global Best Practice.”

GoFPEP 2014 Discussion questions for distinguished invited delegates are designed to involve and encourage universal participation. Utilizing dialog to gain greater insight, the process as designed involves receiving suggestions and recommendations from each delegate. In turn, these suggestions and recommendations will be recorded and shared professionally.

Dr. Gudrun Doll-Tepper kicks off the discussion groups by delegating group leaders and providing the prepared questions for discussion with the ultimate goal of identifying best practices throughout the world. The following questions will be explored:

• What constitutes a best practice in health and physical education?
• What features are common among programs which can be identified as exhibiting best practice?
• How can colleges and universities work to identify promising practices, field test best practice and research validating best practice?
• What best practices are available to increase capacity and efficiency to promote learning for both small and large groups of students?
• What best practices are available to promote deeper learning approaches and linkages to real world settings?
• What best practices enhance accessibility by removing barriers?
• What best practices promote greater choice and convenience for students?
• What best practices promote a student-centered process for learning?
• What best practices enable a personal touch between students and the teacher?

Teams designated a spokesperson to present summaries of the group’s responses

GoFPEP 2014 opens in grand fashion with remarks by Professor Hans DeRidder, Dr. Chris Edginton, Dr. Ming Kai Chin, and Vice Rector of NWU Professor Amanda Lourens.

Invited delegates were treated to a variety of South African cultural demonstrations by local dance and choir groups.

An evening at the NWU art museum with local cuisine and artists showcasing the storied history of Africa and the importance art plays in social and emotional well-being.

Invited delegates as caretakers for well-being connecting art and activity.

Throughout the GoFPEP, NWU immersed invited delegates with examples of activity customs rich in African culture.

Culture's positive impact on emotional/social health is a viable tool for improving children and community well-wellbeing.

The final evening introduced the importance nature plays in sustainable well-being communities.

The night was filled with drum lessons recognized as a research-backed solution with universal appeal, impacting social and emotional well-being.

Invited delegates representing 23 countries shared research and successful models centered around improving well-being in communities utilizing physical education, health, and physiology solutions.