Course: 'Physically Active Learning in the Early Years'

The foundations of our physical activity behaviours start in the earliest of years.

Children who develop physical literacy in the Early Years are more likely to enjoy being physically active, and they have lower morbidity and mortality across their life course.

Physical activity helps young children meet key physical development milestones, improve body control and strengthen bones and muscles. 

And it’s not just physical development, there’s a growing body of research linking physical activity to cognition and future academic performance. 

But the Early Intervention Foundation’s parent polling suggests that less than 1 in 5 under 6s are getting the recommended amount of daily physical activity. 
 

Time, cost, and access are all barriers to children’s physical activity outside of a learning environment.

And so, it is crucial that children have an abundance of opportunities to be physically active within the learning environment.

Physically active learning not only boosts activity levels and reduces sedentary time, it’s also proven to facilitate learning and understanding.

And so, enabling a movement philosophy in an Early Years classroom can aid learning and promote well-being.

But how do you create this movement philosophy?

That’s where this course comes in. 

What is the course about?

In early childhood, children’s learning potential is enhanced by movement, and consolidating movement and learning as a methodology will enhance engagement and learning potential.

This course looks at blending both academia and movement to create a kinaesthetic classroom. The focus is around developmentally appropriate provision and applying a child-centred approach to learning to deliver the early learning goals and support continuous provision into KS1.

Aimed specifically at classroom teachers, you will gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to create an inspiring physical environment to engage children aged 3 – 7 years in all subject areas and support holistic development.

What are the learning outcomes?

Develop an understanding of how best to support children physically in nursery/reception and foundation stage/phase and continuous provision into KS1.  The course combines both practical and theoretical content and will provide you with:

• A depth of understanding to create inspiring physical learning opportunities within a range of contexts.
• A deeper understanding of the influence movement has on learning potential and behaviour.
• An understanding of how to support children within a range of subject areas using a movement philosophy.
• The skills to adapt an environment to best support physical learning and movement play.
• An understanding of brain/body connectivity.
• The tools to create lesson plans that elicit excellent responses from learners.
• A wider understanding of the physical and social challenges facing the Early Years and KS1 (under 7’s) sector. 
• Confidence in the areas of movement play and physical activity.
• An understanding of the principles of EC Physical Development.

Who leads the course?

Helen Battelley is course creator and leader. Helen is an internationally renowned early childhood physical activity, movement play and PE specialist.

Key facts about Helen’s work and achievements:

• Helen is a consultant, trainer, author and speaker

·       She has an MA in Early Childhood Physical Activity

·       Helen works for various organisations both nationally and internationally on raising the profile of early childhood movement play.

·       Helen sits on the panel of the Sedentary Behaviour Council for the International Society for Physical Activity and Health.

·       The Skinner Release Technique dance/movement/somatic practice influences Helen’s work.

·       Helen conducts live-action research in the field for the Centre of Research in Early Childhood based at Birmingham City University.

·       Helen was the lead physical development advisor on Change4life’s 10-Minute Shake-Up Cards.

Helen’s extensive experience in the field is matched by her passion. Helen’s expertise and enthusiasm feeds into her training provision. Engaging and inspiring in her delivery, Helen ensures everything is underpinned by evidence and based around a theoretical and conceptual framework.

Course details

How is it delivered?

Online

How long do you have to complete the course?

There’s no time limit as it’s an on-demand course. You can spread the course over as many days, months or years as you’d like.

How much does it cost?

Bundle and save!

This is Helen Battelley’s second course for Aspire:ED. Helen’s first course ‘Inspiring Early Years PE, Physical Activity and Physical Development’  is aimed at those who teach PE in schools to nursery and reception children, coaches, and PE leads, providing them with an understanding of the how and why.

Helen’s second course is aimed specifically at classroom teachers and looks at creating a kinaesthetic classroom. You’ll explore the value of bringing together movement and academia and learn how to create an inspiring physical environment to engage children in all subject areas.

We’re offering both courses as a bundle at a discounted price!

Single course cost: £295

Bundle offer: £395 for the two courses

Find out more about our bundle offer.

Learn for free

We all know how crucial CPD is, but there’s also the time, money and energy to think about. And so, you want to make sure the course you choose is right for you.

That’s why we’re offering you a free taster.

Our free mini-course includes:

Module 1 Unit 1 - Introduction/Course Aims

Meet course leader Helen Battelley. Learn about Helen’s work, the course outcomes and aims, and what you’ll need to complete the course.

Module 1 Unit 2 - Movement Matters

In this unit, you’ll explore:

• Why the Early Years is so important and why a moving child is a learning child

• What constitutes a healthy childhood? 

• Containerisation 

• The statutory and non-statutory guidance - Early Years Foundation Stage Profile, Early Inspection Framework and Reading Framework

• What impediments are impacting on early childhood physical inactivity and obesity? 

Find out more about our FREE mini-course. 

Movement has a powerful impact on learning potential and behaviour.

This is your chance to gain a depth of understanding to create inspiring physical learning opportunities, to gain confidence in the areas of movement play and physical activity, to gain the skills to adapt an environment, and to gain the tools to create lesson plans that elicit excellent responses from your young learners.

Interested to know more? You can see the full module breakdown here.

If you’d like to chat about the course in more depth to make sure it’s the right fit for you, give us a call on 0121 663 1268 or email oli.burton@aaeg.co.uk