
Starting with our inspiring keynote speaker: Sally Goddard Blythe who we were so fortunate to have join us to share her knowledge and experience on the relationship between physical development and learning in the early years, exploring the links between motor skills, posture, balance, eye movements and visual perception with particular focus on the role of primitive and postural reflexes.
We also explored songs, stories and movement based on Sally's book "Movement - Your Child's First Language" and how these can be applied in a developmental sequence, which can encourage physical readiness for school including language skills. Delegates were invited to try some of the movements that can be accompanied with the songs from the book, with our favourite caterpillar movements of the day demonstrated by Impelo!
The energy and enthusiasm from delegates in the room was electric and you could really feel the motivation and determination from all, and how we all collectively want to provide the very best start for our youngest generation.
"It is a really important message, the importance of physical development in terms of child development and more should be done to make more educators aware of this"
The afternoon included two informative workshops on Movement and the integration of the senses and The Role of the Adult in the Developing Child.
Movement and the integration of the senses provided us with the opportunity to discuss and share what we all do to support physical development in our own roles and responsibilities, and how we can observe and introduce responsive movement opportunities to provide a restorative approach to manage children's learning and behaviour.
We also looked at integration of the senses in more detail, and how it is vital that children have the opportunity to explore their environments by using all their senses, as this helps support the development and coordination of both gross and fine motor skills, and its development contributes to brain development as it stimulates healthy neurological connections.
My First Five Years
Our second workshop of the day 'Role of the Adult in the Developing Child' was delivered by Kelcie Stacey, our Early Years Education Officer. During the session, we explored the role of the adult and how we can learn about the child, interpret their knowledge, behaviour and need through detailed, meaningful observations.
Kelcie also gave us an insight into schemas, and the different types of schemas you may expect to notice children do when they are playing and exploring.
If you would like more information on this work, please email Kelcie who can support further: [email protected]
From the level of discussion and engagement from delegates across the day, it was clear to see that we all want the very best start for all children.
We all know that movement at an early stage has so many benefits to a child's overall development and how important it is for every child to have that opportunity to be able to fully thrive in physical activity, and to continue this enjoyment throughout every stage of their lives.
Diolch to all who joined us and for your engagement across the day.