Supporting Physical Development in Early Childhood

Discover the benefits of physical activity for children and babies

On this course, you’ll discover the importance of physical activity for young children’s overall development.

As you explore the holistic health and developmental benefits of physical activity, you’ll learn low cost, effective ways of ensuring babies and young children meet the 180 minutes per day of recommended activity.

You’ll find out how physical activity can improve child mental health and wellbeing, as well as contribute to the prevention of childhood obesity.

The course draws on research and expertise from academics from early childhood, sport and fitness at Public Health England.

The course is designed for adults involved in caring for or educating babies and young children.

As well as being aimed at practitioners in the workforce, the course will give adults, including parents, who are involved in the care and education of babies and young children the opportunity to access evidence-based research.

• The growth and physical development of young children
• Introduction
• What is growth and how is it measured?
• What is physical development and why is it important?
• Experience from your environment
• Body systems, senses and physical development
• Introduction
• Systems of the body
• Developing senses
• Sensory rich environments
• Supporting the development of children’s movement skills
• Introduction
• Physical activity
• Development and movement
• Supporting creativity
• Movement and learning
• Introduction
• Development and the environment
• Media and headlines
• Independence and schema
• Physical development and play
• Introduction
• The role of play in children’s development and learning
• Risky play and Rough and tumble
• Creating environments for physical play
• Health and physical development
• Introduction
• Working with parents
• Health and physical development
• Special needs and disability
• Supporting physical activity and development