Here is the key information that we have shared over social media for those that are unable to access it. If you want to follow us on social media please follow us on Facebook or X
Key highlights from September and October:
Gross Motor skills often get overlooked in early years or it’s thought they will develop by chance in the environment. At startwell we promote the importance that Physical Activity is too important to be left to chance and should be planned for using a range of adult and child led activities in a strong and enabling environment. Remember to link in Sammy skills or the other physical characters as required. DFE have shared a useful link for videos, ideas and activities to support practitioners. https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/areas-of-learning/physical-development/gross-motor-skills
Did you know that physically literate children will not only be a more confident mover, they will also strengthen — cognitively, socially and emotionally. We only have until age 7 to devlop these skills. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyCm6ZLRCbQ
How active is your wake and shake up sessions? 180 Katie helps us to remember that children need a minimum of 180 minutes of physical activity daily. Lots of settings do wake and shake up to contribute towards this target. At startwell we want to challenge you to make your wake and shake up’s more energetic. Remember 180 Katie wants your hearts to go Boom Boom Boom.
Did you know from 6 months of age, infants should be introduced to drinking from a cup or beaker, and from the age of 12 months they should be actively discouraged from drinking from a bottle (NHS, 2022a). It is best to use open cups or free-flow beakers so that there is no need to ‘suck’. Sucking drinks from a bottle teat or spout means the drink spends more time in contact with the teeth which could damage teeth.
Hide and seek is a great Active Azra activity as it involves the children having to crawl or climb into a range of spaces and then run back to a starting point once found. Or you could encourage them to continue the hunt with you as you find the others. Why not encourage them to travel in a range of ways to find their friends such as jumping, giant strides, crawling, running etc.
Sammy skills wants you to support children to develop their Fundamental Movement Skills. If you are focussing on locomotor skills such as walking, tiptoeing, jumping, running, marching etc why not challenge the children and extend the activity by introducing different directions of travel such as forwards, backwards, sideways, diagonally.This helps to develop locomotor skills, spatial awareness, directions and speed.
Ofsted have released their latest report into strong foundations in the first years of life. The report talks about the need for early writing, reading and play to be improved and enhanced to support children achieve their full potential. To develop writing skills we must make sure that children have strengthened their muscles in their shoulders, arms, wrists, hands and fingers. Crawling, throwing and bean bags are fantastic for this. Ask your startwell consultant for extra ideas. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strong-foundations-in-the-first-years-of-school
Have you read the new pre-school report? The biggest headlines are that more children are presenting with development delays and are not school ready. The report also talks about the role that prolonged use of buggies is having on pre-school children and states that less than 10% of two to four-year olds are meeting the recommended 180 minutes of daily physical activity. 180 Katie is the Startwell character who promotes this message – are you using her in your setting and talking with the children and parents about the target? Read the report in full: pdf
Have you explored our Physical Stories section on the Startwell website? We are excited to say that as well as The Gruffalo we have now added The Gingerbread Man for you to explore physically with Sammy Skills. Watch out for Shark in the Park that’s coming in November!
Birmingham’s Public Health team host regular lunchtime webinar sessions on a range of topics. They’re free to attend. Can’t attend? Recordings are made available on the Healthy Brum YouTube channel. Upcoming sessions
– 30th October – Developing Age Friendly Communities
– 13th November – The Learning Disabilities Deep Dive
– 27th November – Breastfeeding Friendly City
Planned sessions for 2025 include addictions, autism awareness and health promotion. For more information visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/birmingham-city-council-public-health-department-65621778333?msockid=05298243b9b8601a31059740b8436149
