Physical Literacy and the Young Child Patricia Maude MBE Homerton College, University of Cambridge, England

Child Development processes of growth and maturation in infancy developing movement competence language learning through movement movement learning through language

Processes of Growth and Maturation in Infants neural development sensori-motor development cephalo-caudal development proximo-distal development

Enabling Early Development Physical activity as the stimulus for: brain development development of movement competence language development

Enabling Environments locations – indoors and outdoors resources – natural, created and manufactured significant others

Enabling Activity Free play Guided play Structured play

Language and Movement ‘Movement is a child’s first language’ (Kiphard and Schilling (1994) Body Language – non-verbal communication facial, postural touching, pointing reaching, clapping, waving

Enabling Language Learning through Movement Key movement vocabulary related to language learning includes: nouns verbs adverbs spatial vocabulary short phrases

Enabling Movement Learning through Language accurate vocabulary applicable vocabulary Lucidity Principles Practical Intelligence

Example of Movement Categories and Vocabulary Balance – vocabulary to enhance stable support and postural control on front on back on side on bottom on hands and feet on hands and knees on knees on feet on one hand and one foot on one foot sliding upside-down as in handstand on elevated, wide and narrow surfaces rocking scooting biking floating Locomotion – vocabulary to enhance travel from place to place creeping slithering crawling stepping walking jogging running rolling skipping galloping pulling pushing swinging climbing wading swimming Flight – vocabulary to enhance projecting oneself off the ground and back down to land landing on two feet taking off jumping up jumping along jumping onto jumping off jumping over landing on one foot hopping hopscotch leaping abseiling jumping with turn assisted flight Manipulation holding feeling grasping gripping drawing tracing guiding cutting pegging threading moulding typing mouse -management picking up receiving a rolled object catching – from bounce and throw Projection grasping releasing placing rolling bouncing throwing striking heading aiming kicking punting volleying licking flinging spinning skimming serving driving putting goal shooting Construction picking up lifting carrying arranging assembling adjusting stacking building dismantling storing Communication (non-verbal) pointing waving clapping smiling frowning leaning bowing curtsying turning towards turning away

Expressive Movement Vocabulary whirlshrink gather glide leap boundspin crawl slither scatter dash soar drag pause crouch burst whip plunge zigzag tremble skim scurry hop rock skip wander toss twirl press push tiptoe creep collapseexpand clap rise fall shrivel close open encircle flutterhover arch sway wander settle crumble twist turn shatter run tap freeze (Source; Adapted from Homerton College P E Department 1998: 79)

Physical Literacy through Movement and Language Enabling young children to achieve: optimum movement competence effective language and communication development a physically active lifestyle intrinsic motivation and self confidence