Abstract

This concise and up to date text looks specifically at children’s learning through movement and the implications of this understanding for practice in early years settings. Movement is a fundamental way in which children learn, so it is vital that early years students and practitioners have a full knowledge of the subject in order to encourage and provide a range of sensory opportunities for the children in their care. The book begins by identifying early movements, examining their links to the brain and the benefits they bring. It looks at how to create movement spaces and opportunities within provision to support key learnings and then moves on to investigate two key issues: supporting children’s early writing and the different ways boys and girls learn through movement. Each chapter includes key messages, case studies to contextualise the issues and reflective questions to promote deeper understanding.

A critical analysis of the interaction between movement, physical development and intellectual development - an extremely detailed consideration of a very specific topic which is not covered in such depth in standard texts. Great case studies throughout to enable readers to apply theory to practice, and also good opportunities for reflection on reading in the reflective questions sections.

Concise and easily understood textbook. Particularly useful to students with little  practical experience of working within the early years sector.

Sharon Tredgett is an early years practitioner with over 25 years’ experience. She spent her early career working within children’s centres and for Sure Start before becoming a trainer and consultant specifically around children’s learning through movement. She currently works for Leeds City Council as part of the quality improvement team and has devised, written and delivered a range of training programmes to a wide spectrum of early years practitioners both within and outside of the local authority. She has written accredited open college network units on learning through movement and continues to assess and moderate on these.