Many children arrive in school without a wide and varied movement vocabulary. Changes in childcare practices and technological developments, mean it is less likely that children have been allowed to play out, jump in puddles, climb trees and take part in rough and tumble play. Many children spend increasing amounts of time sitting, watching educational videos, playing with smart toys and in general being much more sedentary than in the past. Movement, however, is an essential ingredient for a child’s development and capacity to learn.

This introductory course is suitable for both specialist and non - specialist teachers and secondary teachers who teach Key Stage One. It will provide a range of fun physical development activities from Early Years upwards, giving children the firm foundations they need, to become Physically Literate and able to access Physical Education and Sport in later years. The course will focus on:

• The importance of movement and play in child development
• Creating an environment for children to explore and consolidate movement skills
• Building the skills of locomotion, stability and object control in a developmentally appropriate way
• Progressing from fundamental movement skills into games and activities
• Pedagogical approaches to developing physical literacy
• The importance of progression in cognitive skills alongside physical skills