HOW DOES THE LITTLE GYM SUPPORT YOUR CHILD IN SCHOOL?

HOW DOES THE LITTLE GYM SUPPORT YOUR CHILD IN SCHOOL?

With school applications open for Reception entry 2024, our thoughts turn to how to prepare our little ones for this new stage in their life. All children are unique and their readiness for primary school will vary from child to child. The key to supporting your child through this stage is to be actively involved in their development and provide them with varied and rich opportunities to learn, both in and outside of school. Keep communication open with their teacher and be involved in their school experience to support their growth and learning.

In a recent article in the Guardian about school and changes in the past few years, Lol Keegan wrote some frankly terrifying statistics about school refusal. “Persistent absence, defined as missing more than 10% of lessons, more than doubled from 8% of primary and 13.7% of secondary school children pre-Covid across England to 17% and 28% respectively in 2022-2023”

Rachel deSouza, children’s commissioner for England, said “if absence isn’t solved now, then it may become baked in, with lifelong consequences for the most disadvantaged” and that “children have taken an unbelievable hit, we should be getting them out, having some fun. There’s room in schools for fun, for play, for thriving communities”.

Keegan went on to praise the team at Whitefield primary where the playgrounds are full. The headteacher Wright introduced longer breaktimes after realising how much children had missed out on playing together during lockdown. But, crucially, her teachers don’t just supervise; they join in. “The staff here teach play” Wright explains. “They go out and play to make those relationships with children”.

If only all school settings were this forward thinking, unfortunately they’re not. Thankfully the Little Gym is here to bridge that gap, with our trained teachers who embrace their inner child. Our team get down to the kids’ level, getting involved in the games and providing the chance to learn and develop through play. Movement in children can help to increase memory, perception, language, attention and decision making, all key to becoming successful students. To make sure your child gets the best start to their schooling, make your first step to brightening their future and join us today.

PermaLink: https://bath.thelittlegym.co.uk/blog/2023/10/11/supportingyourchildinschool