Early Movement Leap Sessions/The Best Start in Life
To ensure every child has access to high quality physical activity opportunities from birth the British Heart Foundation have asked for the following changes:
As many of our parents already know we use our Devon Early Years Services Early Movement/LEAP Training Programme as guidance for our Physical Development sessions which we timetable and plan for here at Grafton Childcare this is all about Physical Development and is one of the new Prime Areas within the revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
To reflect this significant focus on the importance of children securing early movement skills the Devon Early Years Team have recently published (2015) new guidance which is more focused on the Physical Development of our Under Twos as previously the Focus was more on the 2 - 4 year olds.
Also last month (January 2016) the British Heart Foundation published their manifesto for physical activity in the early years "The Best Start in Life", which all links in very well with the Early Years LEAP Programme.
"Being active from our earliest months, as a normal part of daily life, can establish a positive patterns for our whole lives." (Early Movers, British Heart Foundation)
We learn more physical skills in our first five years than at any other time in our lives. Therefore it's important that young children have lots of time to practice and develop these movement skills.
From birth, babies seem to instinctively know that movement is good for them and want to find out what their body can do and what the world is about. As their movement skills develop, this enables the infant to go and explore, rather than waiting for the world to come to them. Movement is the primary vehicle of discovery for the developing child. As children grow, movement opens up all sorts of learning opportunities which enhance life; a confident. competent mover will successfully access many available experiences both socially and cognitively.
For most children, motor development happens in a predictable series of events but there will be variability with each child as to when they reach each stage, e.g. many children walk between 12 and 14 months but some walk as early as 9 or 10 months. Consequently the the new Early Years LEAP Guidance focus on the developmental milestones and mastery of the skill itself, rather than identifying age bands of when it is likely to happen, similar to how we at Grafton observe, and plan for each of our Key Children's 'Next Steps."
"Developing movement skills is age related, but not age determined; these skills tend to develop in the same order, although there are differences in how and when they develop." (Early Movers, British Heart Foundation)
Whether as a coincidence or as a legacy, the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics were closely followed by the announcement that in 2013 physical development would become a Prime Area within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). We heard more regular use of terms such as 'proprioception' and 'vestibular system." 2013 also saw schools receiving injections of funding for PE with the PE Sports Premium Fund and so the importance of the movement agenda was firmly back in the area.
However we need to build upon this recognition by extending our knowledge further; greater awareness is needed of the link between physical development, movement and sensory experiences in shaping the brain. We now know that inadequate early movement experiences can impact on later learning, causing development; delay and reduced levels of emotional well-being. Here at Grafton Childcare we know about the importance of:
Whilst at Grafton Childcare and throughout a child's early years it is therefore essential that during this optimal time we ensure babies and young children are given a range of enjoyable and progressive opportunities to develop their early movement skills.
An emerging body of evidence supporting physical activity in the early years has led to greater awareness of how those early experiences impact on future outcomes. In addition to the health aspect, movement skills and physical play are of intrinsic value to holistic child development.
"Participation in physical activity is important for healthy growth and development. It can reduce the risk of chronic conditions (e.g. obesity) and improve their general health and well-being." (NICE public health guidance)
However creating appropriate learning environments and opportunities is not enough. there needs to be a skilled and knowledgeable work force who can teach, observe and assess these skills and dispel the theory that physical development just happens. Here at Grafton Childcare we are taking action to ensure opportunities, facilities and equipment are available to encourage children to develop movement skills, regardless of their ability or disability.
With recent reviews to the EYFS curriculum in 2014. The original EYFS (2008) brought together care and education and confirmed the link between physical development and health but the revised EYFS (2012/2014) placed an even great expectation and responsibility to further consider child health issues.
"Physical development involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control and movement. children must be helped to understand the importance of physical activity." (EYFS Education Programme for Physical Development)
The Characteristics of Learning can be seen through movement experiences when children:
Here at Grafton Childcare we have many pieces of equipment and resources which help support our children's Key Workers to teach and provide opportunities to develop these Physical Literacy essential skills be they from the Devon Early Years Team, The British Heart Foundation, EYFS or Change 4 Life amongst just a few and we use these on a weekly basis when we are planning Physical Development activities for your children here at Grafton Childcare.
We know that our series of Preparing for School Activities articles were very popular last year and this year as well as republishing and updating our Preparing for School Activities we also intend to start a regular Physical Literacy in the Early Years slot in our weekly blog and Facebook page.
We welcome parental feedback on the information which we intend to share and would love to know if you use any of our ideas and suggestions at home how they are received this would be fantastic information for your child's Key Worker and valuable evidence for your child's Learning Journal for evidencing your own child's Physical Literacy journey both here and at home, so please share lots of information and photos please via your child's Daily Diary and/or Communication Booklet via their Monthly My Favourite Things Pages or directly with us via email via denise@graftonchildcare.co.uk and she will pass on any info directly to your child's Key Worker.
To ensure every child has access to high quality physical activity opportunities from birth the British Heart Foundation have asked for the following changes:
- Awareness, We need to support comprehensive awareness raising, to ensure early years professionals and families are aware of, and act upon, the Chief Medical Officers' physical activity guidelines for the early years (2011)
- Education, we need to give greater emphasis on the importance of physical activity across the Early years Foundation Stage curriculum, alongside clear guidance and for early years professionals oh how we can promote and develop children's physical activity.
- Environment, we all to ensure all children in the EYFS should have safe, stimulating and accessible physical activity and active travel opportunities in their community.
- Health, health professionals should track the physical activity levels of children in the early years alongside other health behaviours. These results should be shared with parents whilst supporting them to take positive action to increase physical activity levels among their children.
As many of our parents already know we use our Devon Early Years Services Early Movement/LEAP Training Programme as guidance for our Physical Development sessions which we timetable and plan for here at Grafton Childcare this is all about Physical Development and is one of the new Prime Areas within the revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
To reflect this significant focus on the importance of children securing early movement skills the Devon Early Years Team have recently published (2015) new guidance which is more focused on the Physical Development of our Under Twos as previously the Focus was more on the 2 - 4 year olds.
Also last month (January 2016) the British Heart Foundation published their manifesto for physical activity in the early years "The Best Start in Life", which all links in very well with the Early Years LEAP Programme.
- Early movement skills are the foundation for developing physical literacy
- Developing physical literacy is the foundation for learning to love being active
- Effective Physical Development is a foundation for success.
"Being active from our earliest months, as a normal part of daily life, can establish a positive patterns for our whole lives." (Early Movers, British Heart Foundation)
We learn more physical skills in our first five years than at any other time in our lives. Therefore it's important that young children have lots of time to practice and develop these movement skills.
From birth, babies seem to instinctively know that movement is good for them and want to find out what their body can do and what the world is about. As their movement skills develop, this enables the infant to go and explore, rather than waiting for the world to come to them. Movement is the primary vehicle of discovery for the developing child. As children grow, movement opens up all sorts of learning opportunities which enhance life; a confident. competent mover will successfully access many available experiences both socially and cognitively.
For most children, motor development happens in a predictable series of events but there will be variability with each child as to when they reach each stage, e.g. many children walk between 12 and 14 months but some walk as early as 9 or 10 months. Consequently the the new Early Years LEAP Guidance focus on the developmental milestones and mastery of the skill itself, rather than identifying age bands of when it is likely to happen, similar to how we at Grafton observe, and plan for each of our Key Children's 'Next Steps."
"Developing movement skills is age related, but not age determined; these skills tend to develop in the same order, although there are differences in how and when they develop." (Early Movers, British Heart Foundation)
Whether as a coincidence or as a legacy, the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics were closely followed by the announcement that in 2013 physical development would become a Prime Area within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). We heard more regular use of terms such as 'proprioception' and 'vestibular system." 2013 also saw schools receiving injections of funding for PE with the PE Sports Premium Fund and so the importance of the movement agenda was firmly back in the area.
However we need to build upon this recognition by extending our knowledge further; greater awareness is needed of the link between physical development, movement and sensory experiences in shaping the brain. We now know that inadequate early movement experiences can impact on later learning, causing development; delay and reduced levels of emotional well-being. Here at Grafton Childcare we know about the importance of:
- The vestibular system
- The impact of retained reflexes
- Proprioception
- Sensory integration
Whilst at Grafton Childcare and throughout a child's early years it is therefore essential that during this optimal time we ensure babies and young children are given a range of enjoyable and progressive opportunities to develop their early movement skills.
An emerging body of evidence supporting physical activity in the early years has led to greater awareness of how those early experiences impact on future outcomes. In addition to the health aspect, movement skills and physical play are of intrinsic value to holistic child development.
"Participation in physical activity is important for healthy growth and development. It can reduce the risk of chronic conditions (e.g. obesity) and improve their general health and well-being." (NICE public health guidance)
However creating appropriate learning environments and opportunities is not enough. there needs to be a skilled and knowledgeable work force who can teach, observe and assess these skills and dispel the theory that physical development just happens. Here at Grafton Childcare we are taking action to ensure opportunities, facilities and equipment are available to encourage children to develop movement skills, regardless of their ability or disability.
With recent reviews to the EYFS curriculum in 2014. The original EYFS (2008) brought together care and education and confirmed the link between physical development and health but the revised EYFS (2012/2014) placed an even great expectation and responsibility to further consider child health issues.
"Physical development involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control and movement. children must be helped to understand the importance of physical activity." (EYFS Education Programme for Physical Development)
The Characteristics of Learning can be seen through movement experiences when children:
- play and explore that their bodies can do
- are engaged in active learning and show high levels of energy
- set themselves a physical challenge
- show motivation and perseverance in mattering a skill
- take a risk and try a new experience
- find a new ay to do something
- have the resilience to try again.
Here at Grafton Childcare we have many pieces of equipment and resources which help support our children's Key Workers to teach and provide opportunities to develop these Physical Literacy essential skills be they from the Devon Early Years Team, The British Heart Foundation, EYFS or Change 4 Life amongst just a few and we use these on a weekly basis when we are planning Physical Development activities for your children here at Grafton Childcare.
We know that our series of Preparing for School Activities articles were very popular last year and this year as well as republishing and updating our Preparing for School Activities we also intend to start a regular Physical Literacy in the Early Years slot in our weekly blog and Facebook page.
We welcome parental feedback on the information which we intend to share and would love to know if you use any of our ideas and suggestions at home how they are received this would be fantastic information for your child's Key Worker and valuable evidence for your child's Learning Journal for evidencing your own child's Physical Literacy journey both here and at home, so please share lots of information and photos please via your child's Daily Diary and/or Communication Booklet via their Monthly My Favourite Things Pages or directly with us via email via denise@graftonchildcare.co.uk and she will pass on any info directly to your child's Key Worker.
