School sport and activity action plan: DfE, DCMS, DHSC 2019
Nothing new, mainly about how the large organisations will spend even more money on schemes that are often ill monitored and evaluated.
Category: Apparatus
WHO guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age
A comprehensive, accessible and manageable document that will provide the impetus to determine how best to implement UK version to follow in September 2019 View the report
Study finds children’s screen time has replaced outdoor play
A report by the Association of Play Industries (API) reveals that children have never moved so little and points to substantial evidence that screens are a key reason.
The Primary PE And Sport Premium Report 2019
This report is timely – and critical.
Early years teacher trainees drop by a third
Save the Children warn of ‘crisis in the childcare workforce’ and call for better pay and conditions.
Why do we treat Early Years teachers as second-class?
Early Years teachers are crucial to our children’s development, so why don’t they have the status they deserve? See article
Music boosts attainment and transforms communities
With school music tuition under threat in Scotland, one leader argues that music has the power to break down barriers.
The role of marketing in promoting a fit and healthy childhood
This is the latest APPG report from the ‘Fit and Healthy Childhood’ group – some very useful stats and information included.
Mayor launches programme to give London’s under-fives best possible start in life
Healthy Early Years London helps children and families learn about healthy eating, exercise and social and emotional development.
Amanda Spielman at the Pre-school Learning Alliance annual conference
Ofsted’s Chief Inspector discussed the importance of the early years and developing a love of reading at the 2018 Pre-school Learning Alliance conference.
Factors influencing childcare workers’ promotion of physical activity in children aged 0–4 years: a qualitative study
A study examining the factors influencing childcare workers’ promotion of physical activity (PA) among children aged 0–4 years, a particularly interesting context because of the increasing number of children attending childcare....
Motor Skill Performance and Physical Activity in Preschool Children
Children with better-developed motor skills may find it easier to be active and engage in more physical activity (PA) than those with less-developed motor skills.
Building Better Beginnings: a case study of how a daily physical skills session is supporting overall learning and development for young boys
This case study argues for the consideration of an adult directed physical skills session as an approach to supporting boys learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage in England.
Do children really need toys?
Acting Head of a Nursery School aimed to find out in a unique piece of research.
Latest data from a Welsh movement initiative created by SAQ International
A small scale movement project with a welcome added overview.
Movement Environment Rating Scale (MOVERS) for 2–6-year-olds provision
The MOVERS is a valuable resource for early years educational centres to use to evaluate and improve their practice and provision in the vital curriculum area of physical development.
New report by RCPCH, State of Child Health, Two Years On
An update on the 2017 version, what was recommended, what progress has been made and what is the current evidence. See the report www.rcpch.ac.uk
Play facilitation : the science behind the art of engaging young children
An excellent and provocative new report sponsored by The LEGO Foundation.
MOVED2LEARN
Early Intervention
A recently published, useful government briefing paper.
One-to-three-year-olds’, risky play in early childhood education and care
Risky play in 1-3 yr olds in Norway, an unpublished PhD thesis from 2018.
Physical activity in preschool years can affect future heart health
Paper from McMaster University in Journal of Paediatrics.
Joy, play and doing together
Publications of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland 2016-12-03 Recommendations for physical activity in early childhood The Joy in Motion programme, aimed at increasing the level of physical activity in...
Do thin, overweight and obese children have poorer development than their healthy-weight peers at the start of school? Findings from a South Australian data linkage study
Early Childhood Research Quarterly | Volume 35, 2nd Quarter 2016, Pages 85–94 International research utilizing the Early Development Instrument (EDI) as a measure of early child development Highlights Little is known about how...
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood Physical Education
APPG Report | December 2016 | PHYSICAL EDUCATION There are many recommendations flowing from this Report. This is a reflection of the work required to recognise the vital importance of physical education to health and to...
Childhood Obesity a Plan for Action
HM Government – published 18 August 2016.
Physical activity for early years
• Only one in 10 children aged 2–4 is active for 3 hours or more daily.
Learning Together to Improve Child Health
The pioneering ‘Learning Together’ scheme by the RCPCH and the RCGP advocates GP and paediatric trainees working side by side in order to share ideas and learn from each other.
Fairness for Children
hbsc & unicef | A league table of inequality in child well-being in rich countries | 2016 This Report Card presents an overview of inequalities in child well-being in 41 countries of the European Union (EU) and the...
Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet
HSCIC | 28 April 2016 Key facts In 2014/15, more than 1 in 5 children in Reception, and 1 in 3 children in Year 6 were measured as obese or overweight. Children in most deprived areas are twice as likely to be obese than...
Resurrecting Free Play in Young Children Looking Beyond Fitness and Fatness to Attention, Affiliation, and Affect
JAMA Pediatrics | 2005 | Hillary L.
Why Hopscotch Matters
movingsmartblog | Gill Connell Hopscotch was one of my favorite games as a child and it still is today. In fact, Hopscotch proves one of my pet theories that (in most cases) what’s fun for kids is good for kids. ...
Learning to Swim on Dry Land!
movingsmart blog | GILL CONNELL | CHERYL MCCARTHY AN INTRODUCTION TO WATER No matter the age, comfort and confidence in the water is a mandatory first step in achieving safety, relaxation, proficiency, and enjoyment in...
Celebrating children’s movement at Rainbow Nursery
This film was made as part of a project at Rainbow Nursery which explored how children’s movement is integral to their lives and learning.
Early Movers resources and website
A team of Loughborough University academics have launched a new website that provides practical tips to help early year practitioners and parents feel confident in delivering physical development opportunities to children.
TAGTIV8 – a resource to review.
This is a really interesting and innovative approach that effectively combines physical activity with skills linked to literacy and numeracy.
Essential information for activity providers
f you want to find out about out of school clubs, and how to get started with setting one up, this is where you need to start.
The Early Years Movement Handbook
A principles based approach to supporting young children’s physical development, health and wellbeing, by Lala Manners.
Kids Run Free
Kids Run Free’s mission is to create fun, free and sustainable running opportunities for toddlers to teens, igniting their passion for physical activity and encouraging them to be healthier, happier and more confident.
Movement for Learning Schools Together
Movement for Learning is a programme of specific exercises designed to be delivered to the whole class on a daily basis.
The Fred Rogers Center for early learning and children’s media
The Fred Rogers Center recognizes the prevalence and tremendous power of digital media and technology in the lives of children, families, and educators.
The NDNA Healthy Body, Happy Me campaign for 2019 is focused on oral health
Please support in any appropriate way.
Join thousands and organise a Muddy Puddle Walk with your nursery or family to raise money this spring
Every child should get the chance to make their mark on the world – and help build a better future for us all.
Pikler Annual Conference 2019
Saturday 18 May, 10:00 – 17:00.
The Physical Development Needs of Young Children
With growing concerns over declining levels of school readiness and physical activity, this book outlines the importance of quality early movement experiences and explores the connection between poor early physical development opportunities and later difficulties in the classroom.
Prime Time Physical: A movement approach to learning and development
Book review of Practical Pre-School Books by Jo Blank.
Early Years Physical Literacy Framework
Physical literacy can be described as the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding that provide children with the movement foundation for lifelong participation in physical activity.
Boing Whoosh RolyPoly!
A brilliantly simple, accessible – and sustainable – approach to supporting children’s physical development through outdoor play.
fit for sport | activity challenge
Since launching in April this year, the Activity Challenge has encouraged thousands of children aged 4-11 to get active.
bitescience – the key to research on young consumers
bitescience scan academic publications on young consumers from a wide range of disciplines and select the most important, valuable and constructive research findings.