Play Move Improve Podcast: Essential Fundamental Movement Skills for School Readiness

Episode Summary

In this episode, Robyn Papworth, an exercise physiologist and developmental educator, discusses the changing landscape of fundamental movement skills needed for school readiness. She highlights three crucial skills that many three-year-olds are struggling with and provides practical strategies to improve these skills.

Robyn Papworth is an exercise physiologist and developmental educator passionate about improving children's movement skills for better learning outcomes.

Remember, focusing on these fundamental movement skills can significantly impact a child's readiness for school and overall development!

Play Move Improve Podcast: Bridging the Gap in Children's Foundational Movement Skills

Episode Summary

In this episode, Robyn Papworth, an exercise physiologist and developmental educator, discusses the current challenges in children's development and the critical importance of foundational movement skills. She emphasizes the need to focus on basic skills rather than rushing to meet academic expectations.

Robyn Papworth is an exercise physiologist and developmental educator passionate about helping children build strong foundational movement skills for better learning outcomes.

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Remember, building strong foundational movement skills is crucial for a child's overall development and future academic success!

Understanding and Supporting Toileting Challenges in Children

Episode Summary

In this candid episode, Robyn Papworth shares her personal experience with her daughter Phoebe's toileting challenges. She discusses the role of interoception in toileting, offers practical strategies, and emphasizes the importance of a patient, individualized approach.

Robyn Papworth is an exercise physiologist, developmental educator, and mother who shares her professional expertise and personal experiences to help parents and educators support children's development.

Remember, every child's journey is unique. Patience, understanding, and the right strategies can make a big difference in navigating toileting challenges. Join our online community for more support and resources!

Play Move Improve Podcast: Five Essential Movements in Gymnastics for Child Development

Episode Summary

In this episode, Robyn Papworth, an exercise physiologist and developmental educator, discusses five key movements in gymnastics that are crucial for child development. She shares personal experiences with her son Hugh and offers insights for gymnastics coaches and parents.

Robyn Papworth is an exercise physiologist, developmental educator, and mother who shares her professional expertise and personal experiences to help parents, educators, and gymnastics coaches support children's development.

Remember, gymnastics can play a crucial role in developing fundamental movement skills and building confidence in children. These five key movements provide a foundation for overall physical and cognitive development.

Motor Development and Balance Challenges in Children with Autism

Episode Summary

In this episode, Robyn Papworth discusses the motor development and balance challenges often seen in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She explains the complexities of balance, the impact of sensory processing differences, and offers strategies to support motor skill development in children with ASD.

Robyn Papworth is an exercise physiologist and developmental educator specializing in supporting children with various developmental needs, including autism spectrum disorder.

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Remember, every child with autism is unique. These strategies can be adapted to suit individual needs and interests.

Play Move Improve Podcast: Understanding and Managing Play Schemas in Early Childhood Settings

## Episode Summary

In this episode, Robyn Papworth discusses the importance of play schemas in early childhood development and offers strategies for educators and parents to manage and support these behaviors in various settings.

## Key Points

1. Play schemas are repetitive behaviors that help children explore and understand their world.

2. Common play schemas include trajectory (throwing) and transporting (moving objects).

3. These behaviors can be challenging for educators and parents but are crucial for development.

4. There's an increase in play schema behaviors in older age groups (3-6 years) than previously observed.

5. Strategies can be implemented to support play schemas while managing the learning environment.

## Understanding Play Schemas

- Play schemas are developmental phases children go through to explore their world

- Examples: transporting objects, throwing (trajectory), dumping

- These behaviors help children understand cause and effect, object permanence, and their impact on the environment

## Challenges in Educational Settings

- Increased occurrence of play schema behaviors in 3-6 year age group

- Difficulty in managing mixed developmental levels in one setting

- Potential disruption to structured activities or other children's play

## Strategies for Supporting Play Schemas

1. **Object Permanence Activities**

- Hide objects under cups for children to find

- Bury toys in sandpit for discovery

2. **Sensory Exploration**

- Provide opportunities for paint mixing and texture exploration

- Create designated areas for messy play

3. **Structured vs. Open-Ended Play Spaces**

- Set up separate areas for structured activities and free exploration

- Use outdoor spaces for messier, more physical play

4. **Extending Play Behaviors**

- Engage children in their current play level and gradually introduce new concepts

- Use children's interests to guide activities

5. **Environment Modification**

- Adjust play spaces to accommodate different developmental needs

- Create safe areas for more physical play schemas

## Tips for Educators and Parents

- Focus on improving one play skill at a time

- Understand that repetitive behaviors are part of learning

- Provide a variety of sensory experiences

- Be patient and remember that the brain will learn with repeated exposure

## About the Host

Robyn Papworth is an exercise physiologist, developmental educator, speaker, author, and mother of three. She combines her professional expertise with personal experiences to provide valuable insights into child development and play.

## Call to Action

- Share your experiences or questions in the comments

- Reach out for more ideas and support

- Join our free online community for ongoing discussions and resources

## Connect with Play Move Improve

- Website: playmoveimprove.com.au

- Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn: @playmoveimprove

Remember, play schemas are a crucial part of child development. With understanding and the right strategies, we can support children through these important stages while managing the challenges they may present in educational settings.

Play Move Improve Podcast: Understanding and Supporting Emotional Regulation

Episode Summary

In this in-depth episode, Robyn Papworth, an exercise physiologist and developmental educator, discusses the importance of emotional regulation in child development. She shares personal insights, scientific information, and practical strategies to help children and adults manage their emotions effectively.

Robyn shares her own experiences with emotional regulation challenges, providing a unique perspective on the importance of these skills and the impact of early life experiences.

Robyn Papworth is an exercise physiologist, developmental educator, speaker, author, and mother of three. She combines her professional expertise with personal experiences to provide valuable insights into child development and emotional regulation.

Remember, emotional regulation is a journey for both children and adults. With understanding and practice, we can all improve our ability to manage our emotions effectively.

In this episode I share my personal experience with a close friend who has dyslexia and the importance of viewing dyslexia from a motor sequencing and visual processing perspective, not just letter and number reversals. 

Pre-reading activity pack here - https://www.playmoveimprove.com.au/products/pre-reading-activity-pack-for-children-aged-3-years-to-6-years-pdf

In this episode I chat about my current child development and play observations and how we can support children with their play skills in 2022 and 2023.

Early childhood training - parent education - carrying children to kindergarten