The Early Years Movement Handbook

The go-to professional resource for understanding the importance of children's physical development and enhancing it in a structured way. Eight principles explain why physical activity is so important for children's lifelong development, and a workable framework is provided for the design and delivery of practical sessions.

Today there are more children than ever before in need of a variety of additional support needs, and many of these children have poor movement as a key contributory factor. Even in children with no specific ‘label’, movement is being found to be linked to learning, and educational professionals need to understand what is amiss and how to support children who do not meet their motor milestones at the correct time. The brand new topic areas featured in this comprehensive and practical new edition include: a discussion of terminology and labelling (in light of current inclusion guidelines) a range of age specific activities a section on the neurology of dyspraxia, showing the motor pathways that are energised and define motor competence a greater emphasis on balance, coordination and control examples from children of how movement is dependent on planning, sequencing and organising more practical activities that can form the basis of a programme to support the children. Practical strategies are provided throughout this authoritative book, so that teachers and other professionals can identify and understand movement difficulties, are empowered to support the children, and work effectively with the parents.

Waldorf Games Handbook for the Early Years - Games to Play & Sing with Children aged 3 to 7 A offers a handy guide to playing games with young children. This classic games book offers a standby resource for parents, teachers, forest school educators and play leaders. The games are tried and tested. They draw on worldwide Steiner - Waldorf creative education, where a child's work is their play. Child growth is explored and how this is helped by a rich treasury of action, finger, circle, clapping, beanbag, chasing, water, tumbling, story and singing games. There are both traditional favourites and also new games created to engage with digitally challenging behaviour.

`This original and fascinating approach to children′s movement development is highly recommended reading for tutors, practitioner and students alike′ - Under Five `Movement and Dance in Early Childhood offers a clear and accessible entry into the world of movement and dance and the possibilities that exist for children, their families and the wider educational community′ - Every Child `Eminently readable and accessible. Whether the reader is versed in movement understanding or a beginner, by the end of the book they should be a much better movement observer, teacher and handler′ - Marion North, Principal and Chief Executive, Laban Centre for Movement and Dance In this unique and innovative book on movement and dance development from birth to eight years, the author draws on her depth of knowledge and practical experience in helping children to become skilled, creative and imaginative in a wide range of movement-oriented activities. The book seeks to help early childhood educators and parents in very practical ways and provides guidance based on a sound theoretical understanding. Originally published as Helping Children Learn Through a Movement Perspective, this book has been updated in the light of recent research. The author extends her investigation of how young children learn in and through movement. There is an expanded chapter on dance, which suggests strategies for working with young children and examines ways in which young children take on the roles of dance-makers, performers and appreciators. An additional chapter shows ways in which the expressive and artistic aspects of children′s movement can be appropriately located and includes exemplars for dance at Key Stage 1 and the early phases of Key Stage 2.

This book focuses on improving well-being among young children. It provides a theoretical base explaining why physical activity is important, and offers practical strategies for increasing health and well-being in early childhood settings. It takes ancient wisdom on the mind and body connection, applies it to the youngest children, and supports it with current empirical and international evidence—all with an eye toward improving wellness across the lifespan. The many topics discussed in the book include children’s motor skills, movement, interaction, physical literacy, the use of video games, dog ownership, developmental delays, as well as strategies to improve physical activities in the classroom and broader contexts. In recent years, children’s health has become a priority worldwide. Topics such as “screen time” “sedentary behavior” and “childhood obesity” have become important issues everywhere- in the news, in schools, in community and commercials settings, and among health care providers. Limiting sedentary behavior, increasing physical activity, and maintaining a nutritious diet are three fundamental needs during early childhood. Preschool years are a time when children begin to explore the world around them, and develop more vivid understandings of their surroundings. As this book shows, the early years may be the best time to teach wellness concepts and assist young children in establishing healthy lifestyle habits.

In this practical resource, Tania Swift provides early years professionals and teachers with advice and tips on incorporating physical activities into all key areas of children's learning. Advancing a movement skills based approach to help teachers deliver learning flexibly, the book identifies how getting children active contributes to their wellbeing and development and improves personal and social skills as well as their cognitive learning. The book is divided into chapters that explore personal, social and emotional development; mathematics and numeracy; literacy, language and communication; knowledge and understanding of the world; expressive arts, design and creative development; and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Drawing on the author's wealth of training experience, each chapter sets out a range of knowledge development, tips, tools and activities that teachers and practitioners can use to support and enhance children's learning and development and examples of good practice from other practitioners and teachers. Full of creative ideas that early years workers and teachers can easily implement, this book will equip readers with the knowledge and confidence to plan for effective learning through movement and active play.

The Practical Guidance in the Early Years Foundation Stage series will assist practitioners in the smooth and successful implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Each book gives clear and detailed explanations of each aspect of Learning and Development and encourages readers to consider each area within its broadest context to expand and develop their own knowledge and good practice. Practical ideas and activities for all age groups are offered along with a wealth of expertise of how elements from the practice guidance can be implemented within all early years settings. The books include suggestions for the innovative use of everyday ressources, popular books and stories. This book will both raise the awareness of readers to how physical development impacts on all areas of learning and general development. The author encourages practitioners to think about what physical activity actually means for children and the importance of balancing risk and challenge, providing opportunities for children to be active and interactive and to use their senses to learn about the world around them.

Understanding Physical Development in the Early Years provides an accessible introduction to the current research and thinking in this area alongside descriptions of everyday practice. It explores the kinds of activities and experiences that promote physical development and offers practical guidance on how these can be facilitated. Physical development plays a crucial role in young children’s learning, behaviour and emotional health and is now recognised as a prime area in the revised Early Years Foundation Stage. It is therefore essential that those working in the early years sector provide children with a wide range of opportunities for movement and sensory experiences. Drawing on current legislation and the requirements of the EYFS, the book covers all aspects of physical development and includes: • reflection tasks, summaries and impact on practice sections; • guidance on issues that can cause concern such as health and safety, rough and tumble play, gender and the effective use of indoor and outdoor space; • advice on the role of the practitioner and ideas for working with parents and families; • information on the different stages of physical development. Written by leading consultants, this book will be essential reading for early years students and practitioners that want to fully understand young children’s physical development and provide opportunities that nourish children’s overall learning and physical and emotional wellbeing.