This article and podcast episode explore how young children develop Fundamental Movement Skills through repeated, varied experiences and attuned adult guidance. Dr Leanne Jaye highlights the balance between structured support and child‑led exploration, the impact of movement on confidence, communication and social connection, and the crucial role practitioners and caregivers play in shaping high‑quality, enjoyable movement opportunities.
Read the article here:
https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/from-practice-to-progress-do-children-need-to-be-taught-movement-skills/
This episode is in partnership with BookedIn.
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Listen to more:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:
· Fostering a love of movement for life, by Josh Candy: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/fostering-a-love-of-movement-for-life/
· Physical development frameworks, by Dr Lala Manners: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/physical-development-frameworks/
· 'My child can't write yet': The foundations of early writing, by Helen Battelley: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/my-child-cant-write-yet-the-foundations-of-early-writing/
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Episode break down:
00:00 - Welcome
01:35 - Introducing Dr Leanne Jaye
03:09 - Do children pick up movement skills naturally?
05:26 - What are fundamental movement skills?
06:56 - Why movement needs greater attention in educator training
08:49 - Recognising when movement skills need support
11:48 - Unequal opportunities for movement development
15:12 - Looking at how children move, not just whether they move
17:36 - Making movement part of the whole day
19:04 - Repetition, practice and brain development
21:16 - Building children's movement vocabulary
25:39 - Keeping repetition playful through stories and games
28:48 - How environments shape movement opportunities
31:47 - Creating movement opportunities in smaller indoor spaces
34:30 - What to notice when observing children's movement
38:47 - Teaching movement: everyday practice and specialist support
41:27 - Educators as movement role models
43:40 - Bringing movement into other areas of learning
46:13 - Supporting independence without stepping in too quickly
50:49 - Final reflections: integrating movement across learning
For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com
