Target Audience:

Practitioners who wish to incorporate physical play when supporting children and young people

Purpose of the Course:

Upon completion, the practitioner have an understanding of the importance of physical activity and play for children and young people and the benefits to their health and wellbeing. Further, the practitioner will develop an understanding of the importance of physical activity and the links with making healthy choices in relation to food and activity.

Course learning outcomes will include:

a) An awareness and knowledge of the UK Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Physical Activity Guidelines for Early Years and Young People – include pre- and post-natal guidelines
b) An understanding of the benefits of physical play for children's concentration, motivation for learning, brain development, social skills, sleep, muscular development and coordination
c) An understanding of the benefits of playing outside
d) An understanding of the links between physical activity and making healthy choices in relation to food
e) How to plan for physical play, which meets the needs of all children, including for example, ability, additional needs and culture
f) How and when to facilitate physical games (especially those that encourage the early athletic skills of running, throwing and jumping) and how to adapt them to meet various needs (i.e. age, ability, space, resources)
g) How to develop physical play both indoors and outdoors through inventive, stimulating and age appropriate activities