Life Based Learning ™
Delivering subject content through nine life themes
Category: Physical Health
All young children should be receiving free swimming lessons
Former Olympic swimming gold medallist Duncan Goodhew has been in the news this week urging parents to prioritise swimming lessons for their children now that swimming pools are able to reopen. His intervention is a timely reminder of the importance that swimming plays not… Continue Reading “All young children should be receiving free swimming lessons”
Children need to be able to safely enjoy and learn through play
Play has huge benefits for children and families. We have repeatedly highlighted on the Forum website its benefits for children’s intellectual, emotional, social and physical development. It helps maintain physical and mental health. It develops self-awareness and social interaction skills. It also promotes key… Continue Reading “Children need to be able to safely enjoy and learn through play”
Unlocking the benefits for children of play and outdoor learning
England has today moved to the next phase in the easing of the national lockdown, and the UK’s devolved nations are also in the process of gradually easing their restrictions. Now that spring has arrived, the evenings are getting longer and (hopefully) the weather… Continue Reading “Unlocking the benefits for children of play and outdoor learning”
Urgent letter to PM highlights the need for outdoor education
Adventurers, explorers and people involved in sport, including figures such as Clive Woodward, have joined with leaders of outdoor centres, schools and charities, and others concerned with children’s wellbeing in signing a letter to the prime minister this week, urging him to allow outdoor… Continue Reading “Urgent letter to PM highlights the need for outdoor education”
‘Active recovery’ needs to be much more than just a short-term fix
The children’s charity Youth Sport Trust is calling for the government to make the remainder of the current school year an ‘active recovery term’ for young people, with a renewed focus on sport, physical activity and physical education, and time outdoors. We wholeheartedly agree… Continue Reading “‘Active recovery’ needs to be much more than just a short-term fix”
Academics put outdoor play at the heart of children’s recovery
A group of child development experts have been in the headlines this week, asking the government to prioritise outdoor play over extra lessons and longer school days for children in the coming months as the country emerges out of lockdown and begins to return… Continue Reading “Academics put outdoor play at the heart of children’s recovery”
Millions feel the mental and physical benefits of regular exercise
More evidence has been published highlighting the benefits of running and jogging not just for physical health but also for mental wellbeing too. The Forum for Life-Based Learning advocates daily physical activity for all children and a curriculum that enables them to learn healthy… Continue Reading “Millions feel the mental and physical benefits of regular exercise”
Sport England survey shows the benefits of childhood physical activity
Sport England’s latest survey suggests that, despite lockdown and other restrictions, childhood physical activity has continued, but to a lesser extent due to Covid social restrictions. It also shows the wider benefits of being physically active. The Active Lives Children and Young People Survey… Continue Reading “Sport England survey shows the benefits of childhood physical activity”
The primary school national curriculum needs an urgent reboot
National curriculum reform: The gap between the current state of scientific knowledge and what is delivered to children in the national curriculum is growing ever wider. Take, for example, children learning about and learning how to look after their body (1), their emotions (2)… Continue Reading “The primary school national curriculum needs an urgent reboot”