Course Content

  1. 1

    • Intro

    • Forget movement - Think Sensation
  2. 2

    • About Touch

    • Three aspects of the touch sense

    • More touch play needed - one

    • More touch play needed - two

    • Touch as food

    • Touch Play

    • Touch quiz
  3. 3

    • What is Proprioception

    • More about proprioception

    • How do babies and children build their proprioception

    • More Proprioceptive play needed

    • Proprioceptive play - children

    • Proprioceptive play - babies

    • Proprioception quiz

  4. 4

    • What is the vestibular sense?

    • How does the vestibular system works

    • How do babies and children build their vestibular sense?

    • More vestibular play needed - one

    • More vestibular play needed - two

    • Vestibular play - babies

    • Vestibular play - children

    • Vestibular quiz
  5. 5

    • What is Interoception

    • How does Interoception work

    • Interoception play

    • Interoception Quiz
  6. 6

    • And finally

    • Your thoughts

Course Tutor

Penny Greenland

Penny has been teaching across the early years sector for thirty-five years. In 1998 she set up the action-research project which led to the creation of Developmental Movement Play and has continued to research and develop the approach ever since. She is author of Hopping Home Backwards: body intelligence and movement play and a contributor to several early years text books about physical development.

Sensory play

Understand the role of sensory development as a fundamental pillar of physical development and change the way you think about children's movement. Think afresh about ‘sensory play’.

Eight senses

You already work with five senses, add three more to support your children’s sensory development. Notice how your children are already working with these and develop your learning environment to make more opportunities.

Recognise sensory needs

Recognise and support the children who need the most support to build their sensory foundations. They may move all the time, easily become "over excited", be very robust in their movement. It's east to feel that this is behaviour that should be contained or diverted, but these children benefit hugely when you know how to help them.

Frequently asked questions

  • Who is the course designed for?

    All early years practitioners working in nurseries, pre-schools, childminders, playgroups, Children’s Centres, family groups, drop-ins - and those supporting practice in these settings.

  • How long will it take me to do the course?

    The films and audio stories add up to two and a half hours. To make the most of the potential learning you will also want to do lots of observation using the new eyes this course gives you. That’s where the real learning develops.

  • Will I need to make more time out of work for the observations?

    No. We recommend simply watching your children as part of your everyday observations - no special time necessary.

  • Do I take the whole course and then do the observations?

    We recommend you take an observation break after each of the four main Modules. So 30 to 40 minutes of information on film, then some observation time.

  • Does the course support the EYFS Early Learning Goals?

    Yes - and even more. Building strong sensory foundations supports motor skills to develop; and underpins many other areas of learning and self regulation.

  • Can anyone take the course?

    Yes - you don’t need any special knowledge. If you’re interested in how physical development happens, this course is for you.

  • I work with babies. Is there a different course for me?

    No. This is as relevant to babies as it is to older children. This is where it all starts.

  • I have special responsibility for special needs. Will this is useful for me?

    Very - this material is really helpful for understanding how physical development sits underneath lots of developmental issues. And gives you a way to work with children in entirely positive ways to build firm foundations.

  • We’d like our whole team to do the course. Is is the same price per person if there’s lots of us?

    No. It’s great idea to have your whole teams take the course so we want to make it as realistic as possible for you to do this. Get in touch and talk to us about pricing for teams and groups.

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