Training event promotes building blocks for children's education

Sunday 13 September 2020

More than 130 Early Years teachers, support assistants and practitioners improved their understanding of fundamental movement skills at a special training day.

The event was organised in partnership with the Guernsey Sports Commission and hosted by Beau Sejour.

The day featured sessions from Lottie Evans, the Commission’s newly appointed Sport Development Officer for Early Years, Ruth Sharp, Lead Education Officer for Early Years, Raney MacPherson, Lead Occupational Therapist for Child Development Services and Alun Williams, the Health Improvement Commission’s Be Active Lead.

"The day was about improving our understanding of fundamental movement skills and how important these are to a child’s foundation," said Ms Sharp. "They provide the building blocks for their whole education. Schools are facing continued pressure with a full curriculum and it is about ensuring that activity is at the core. This is a fundamental prime area of learning."

Pictured: GSC Sport Development Officer Lottie Evans gives Early Years practitioners some practical tips for being active in the classroom.

The aim of the training was to empower those working with Reception and Year 1 children to bring activity into their everyday practice.

"I have been showing how we can bring games, activities and songs into the classroom using things that might have been tucked away in the PE cupboard but that can easily be used in the classroom," said Ms Evans. 

A Reception Learning Support Assistant said the session had shown that motor skills are an "essential building block that should not be rushed".

"Understanding the importance of ensuring motor skills are well developed and automatic is essential in enabling a child’s cognitive processing, reading abilities, writing skills and abilities in calculation."

Pictured: Alun Williams from the Health Improvement Commission said being more active has "so many benefits, including supporting mental health and wellbeing".

The Early Years team are determined to keep momentum going and continue to build a successful long-term partnership.

"We are looking forward to continuing to work collaboratively to empower and upskill our workforces in schools and in our preschools, day nurseries and our childminders," said Ms Sharp. 

"We plan to build on our purposeful partnerships as we work together to improve outcomes for our children and families. This really is an investment in the Bailiwick’s future now."