I have been involved in a Jabadao research project which aims to identify the importance of giving children the freedom to move in lots of different ways. This encourages them to practise innate movement patterns that all babies and young children instinctively adhere to. We can do this by giving children opportunities to move freely while at the same time encouraging them to do the following:
* Floor play, tummy and back play, rolling over and over
* Spinning, tipping and tilting
* Crawling and belly crawling
* Pushing, pulling and stretching
From the moment they are born, babies are busy building their brains. The earliest brain building is supported by movement - all kinds of movement.
Through visiting these movements, the neurons in the brain are making very important connections, which all have great impact on all their future learning and skills, such as:
* Visual perception, which aids reading
* Aural perception, which can affect what a child hears and understands as well as the way they present themselves socially in their own speech
* Sense of position of their body in space, which affects co-ordination and physical agility
* Perception of basic survival sensations of heat, cold, pain and hunger, which affects how children learn how to take care of themselves and to feel for others
* An ability to manage their emotions
* An ability to be confident in social relationships.
The movement area
People generally associate physical activities and opportunities with outdoor play, but we encourage children to move inside as well as outside.
We have created a soft, comfortable, inviting space with soft furnishings and drapes to make a specific area for movement play. This is positioned alongside our other areas of provision.
The movement area is a way of creating an environment in which a child is allowed to get on with their movement work, both independently and in the company of other children and adults.
It is a popular area of provision because children have the opportunity to use it every day, in the company of enthusiastic practitioners. It has encouraged them to watch others, imitate their movements, initiate their own movements and listen and respond to their own bodies.
Points we considered when introducing a movement area included:
* To create a specific area designed for children to move in
* To make the area welcoming and appealing to everyone
* To make the area easily accessible to the children
* To make the area safe
* To make an area practitioners could use frequently
* To make informed observations
* To add enhancements to meet the needs of children.
Structured movement sessions
Although we want children to initiate their own movements spontaneously, I feel we needed to introduce structured movement sessions which are adult-led, to give children a starting point. It encourages specific movement patterns we want children to do. The more opportunities children have to observe staff moving in different ways, the more it encourages them to explore their own movements.
Spontaneous movement play
As children become more confident in the movement area they learn how to tune into their own bodies. If children learn to listen to their own bodies and move in a way they want to move, and their movements are accepted by others, then this will encourage them to keep moving. In this way they practise those important movement patterns.
Encouraging movement in all areas of provision Encouraging floor play
Because we respond positively to children's movements, they now feel comfortable to get down on the floor to explore other areas of provision.
Resources
We have removed most tables and positioned resources on the floor to encourage children to lie on their tummies and crawl from area to area.
All areas of nursery environments
Our aim is to give children a positive message that we value their innate urges to move. We aim to give them freedom to explore their movements wherever they are playing.
Impact of movement area
Confidence and level of involvement
Initially children gain confidence in moving within the boundaries of the movement area. As confidence grows it encourages them to move everywhere, thus enabling them to become more involved in other activities.
Awareness and respect
Children develop a strong sense of self through both structured and spontaneous movement opportunities. They become more aware of themselves and others around them, which helps them to respect their own needs and the feelings of others. It fosters acceptance from peers and adults; there is no right or wrong way of doing movement.
Forming relationships
We have noticed children's social interaction increase between peers and adults. The relationships between children and key workers are built through one-to-one and small group activities in the movement area. This helps children develop a strong sense of identity both individually and with a group situation, which helps them feel a sense of belonging.
Responding methods
Children gain confidence to express and communicate feelings, thoughts and ideas through movements. Some children are able to respond and communicate verbally, but others have limited language. Through their movements, children are given the opportunity to give their contributions and responses using their bodies.
I now believe that children who have experience of a movement area and who are given freedom to explore movement across the nursery environment grow into confident children with increased self-esteem and a strong sense of self. They then grow into children who have greater confidence to engage in all activities and new experiences, which will inevitably increase their all-round development and skills. NW
Further information
* JABADAO National Centre for Movement, Learning and Health, TheYard, Viaduct Street, Stanningley, Leeds LS28 6AU, tel:0113 236 3311.
