Early Years Symposium: Physical curiosity, physical development and early movement learning experiences

This symposium will focus on the early years (0 – 8 years) with a particular focus on developing physically, for moving throughout life and also physical curiosity. It will examine the confidence and competence of early... [ view full abstract ]

This symposium will focus on the early years (0 – 8 years) with a particular focus on developing physically, for moving throughout life and also physical curiosity. It will examine the confidence and competence of early years’ practitioners and teachers and how these adults provide movement opportunities every day for children, in line with physical activity guidelines as well as early child development policies and procedures. 

Physical curiosity often is seen in play especially purposeful play (Almond and Lambden, 2016) as is the first and most frequent occurring activity for young children as they make sense of their world (Howells, 2017).  Children within all cultures play, Bruner, (1983) described movement and action as representation of the culture of childhood.  One of the four key areas of the symposium will focus on play and the role of pedagogy within the early years’ settings.  It will consider how these settings differ internationally, yet how the role of play is similar worldwide in development movement skills for young children. The second key area considers the implementation of outdoor activities to early years and offer a critical analysis of outdoor 'playscapes' (Fjørtoft, 2004) and how these help support children's physical learning.  The third key area will  consider how teachers and practitioners can be supported in developing children physically through the use of different physical activity resources. Application of different resources and the implementation of those will be examined.  The fourth area will focus on how the learning landscapes and the theory of 'affordances' can help motor learning through early positive movement experiences.  

Links will be made within the symposium to the common international language of movement, it will consider the joy of movement; problem solving, mastery; child initiated movement and how collaboration can help develop the child to be physically active for lifelong movement.