Physical movement experience not only helps babies and young childrengain control of their bodies but also supports wellbeing and positive learning dispositions, as they follow their self-chosen activity, experiment and overcome difficulties through persistence and effort (Manning-Morton, 2024).
THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Thoughtful arrangement of the environment is a key aspect of supporting children’s autonomous exploration and free movement.
For Pikler-inspired parent-child sessions at group day-care settings, low room dividers can enable the play space to be separated from eating areas, thereby avoiding hazards caused by unnecessary tables and chairs. Divided space is particularly useful for babies who are not yet walking to play freely. Dividers should be stable enough for children to pull themselves up on.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
