Understanding Physical Development in the Early Years provides an accessible introduction to the current research and thinking in this area alongside descriptions of everyday practice. It explores the kinds of activities and experiences that promote physical development and offers practical guidance on how these can be facilitated. Physical development plays a crucial role in young children’s learning, behaviour and emotional health and is now recognised as a prime area in the revised Early Years Foundation Stage. It is therefore essential that those working in the early years sector provide children with a wide range of opportunities for movement and sensory experiences. Drawing on current legislation and the requirements of the EYFS, the book covers all aspects of physical development and includes: • reflection tasks, summaries and impact on practice sections; • guidance on issues that can cause concern such as health and safety, rough and tumble play, gender and the effective use of indoor and outdoor space; • advice on the role of the practitioner and ideas for working with parents and families; • information on the different stages of physical development. Written by leading consultants, this book will be essential reading for early years students and practitioners that want to fully understand young children’s physical development and provide opportunities that nourish children’s overall learning and physical and emotional wellbeing.

Underpinned by substantive research on meeting the developmental and attachment needs of infants, this book offers constructive advice on how to encourage curiosity, confidence and emotional security in young children. Based on a philosophy of respect and sensitive observation of infants, it is appropriate for use in Sure Start programmes. The contributors offer a model that supports children's development and well being without relying on expensive material resources, and enables a coherent care strategy to be applied across different services. They explain the main elements of the RIE approach clearly and concisely and fully explore the practicalities of its implementation in a range of settings, including state-run and independent day care and residential centres, private households and family-based day care. The fresh and effective approach to caring for infants and toddlers outlined in this book will be welcomed by parents and day care professionals, as well as those who manage and evaluate child care provision.

With growing concerns over declining levels of school readiness and physical activity, this book highlights the importance of quality early movement experiences and explores the connection between poor early Physical Development opportunities and later difficulties in the classroom. The book outlines the Physical Development needs of babies, toddlers and young children up to the age of eight, and suggests practical ways in which these can be provided for. It explores key concepts and terms, such as physical literacy, fundamental movement skills, sport, physical activity and Physical Education (PE), in relation to young children’s Physical Development needs and discusses age-appropriate provision. Advice is given to prevent movement difficulties from occurring, but it is acknowledged that not all children follow a typical Physical Development pathway, and, where this is the case, suggestions are provided to help put children "back on course." The Physical Development Needs of Young Children is important reading for all who work with or care for young children, including Early Years practitioners, primary school teachers, students who are studying to join these professions, and parents.

This accessible handbook offers an in-depth exploration of the distinctive features of the play, development and learning of children from birth to three years old. Key theoretical ideas relating to social, emotional, cognitive and physical development are discussed in relation to everyday practice, offering a wealth of information and guidance on working with this unique age group. The book emphasises the connections between all aspects of a child’s experience and development; addressing key questions of what babies and young children need, enjoy and have a right to experience. It demonstrates how early years educators can develop their practice and organise their provision in a way that is positive for babies and young children and their families. Focusing on the holistic nature of early development, chapters explore the following: The importance of interactions and relationships between educators and children How to develop a holistic pedagogy that gives equal consideration to children’s care, play and learning The value of the connections that children make with the world around them, and how educators can create an environment conducive to nurturing these connections Observation and self-evaluation of practice and provision Each chapter features case studies, links to key aspects of practice and practical tasks to help readers apply the ideas to their own context. The book is accompanied by an extensive companion website (www.routledge.com/cw/Manning-Morton) containing video explainers, reflection points, practice tasks, downloadable resources, quizzes and more. Opening a window on what it is like to be a baby or young child in an early years setting, this is an essential tool for all early years educators and students on a wide range of early years courses. It will also be of interest to parents.

This multidisciplinary volume features many of the world's leading experts of infant development, who synthesize their research on infant learning and behaviour, while integrating perspectives across neuroscience, socio-cultural context, and policy. It offers an unparalleled overview of infant development across foundational areas such as prenatal development, brain development, epigenetics, physical growth, nutrition, cognition, language, attachment, and risk. The chapters present theoretical and empirical depth and rigor across specific domains of development, while highlighting reciprocal connections among brain, behavior, and social-cultural context. The handbook simultaneously educates, enriches, and encourages. It educates through detailed reviews of innovative methods and empirical foundations and enriches by considering the contexts of brain, culture, and policy. This cutting-edge volume establishes an agenda for future research and policy, and highlights research findings and application for advanced students, researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers with interests in understanding and promoting infant development.

Internationally renowned infant specialist Magda Gerber, M.A., the founder of RIE, offers a healthy new approach to infant care based on a profound respect for each baby's individual needs and abilities.