Dr Lala Manners
Lala has enjoyed a long and varied career in the field of EY movement studies and physical development: as teacher, trainer, educator, consultant, researcher, author and broadcaster.
Location United Kingdom
Activity
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
So important that children with visual difficulties experience a wide range of physical activities - they are often more capable than anyone imagines!
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Encouraging to read how much this week has been appreciated and enjoyed! Play is so vital in children's lives - and really supports their overall development - health and wellbeing.
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Some interesting variations in approach to risk included in these contributions - especially when applied to differing environments.
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
So enjoyable and interesting to read personal memories - really reinforces the importance of providing 'magical movement moments' every day for our children.
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Some lovely examples of schemas in action here!
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Some wonderful contributions hear - so interesting to read about your personal experiences - and how you apply your observational knowledge to parenting and practice.
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Delighted to read your positive feedback!
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Interesting and sensitive comments here that include a range of proactive and useful ideas - thank you.
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Yes - sleep is often an unacknowledged factor in children's health and wellbeing - encouraging good sleep patterns and being aware of how these change over time is essential.
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Some sensitive and interesting comments to read - being properly aware of the issues included here is a valuable first step in providing the support needed.
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Some really interesting contributions here - yes - it is all about balance - and providing lots of interesting and challenging alternatives to screen-time - BUT - technology can often provide a brilliant way to explore a range of physical activities - and support the communication skills of those who may experience difficulties in this area.
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Dr Lala Manners replied to Sammy K
So good to read here that children's physical development is considered a critical element in their ability to navigate the day with ease and enjoyment - and that managing parental anxiety is essential.
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Some interesting and sensitive reflections included here - a definite consensus that all children are so individual in the ways they develop that affording time, space and appropriate support if/when needed is critical - less is more perhaps?
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Some really effective ideas here of how to maintain relationships with parents during this challenging time.
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We are all learning as we go at the moment - and maybe there is now a stronger sense of working closely with parents and community to foster the health and wellbeing of all. Clear and effective policies must in time be created and implemented - and accepted by everyone.
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Really good suggestions here for taking a whole community/setting approach to the issue - many people will now have some experience of working with/parenting an overweight child - and helping them to feel supported - not isolated - or stigmatised has to be the first step to making meaningful - if initially small - changes to diet and lifestyle.
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The range of responses here really highlights the wealth of student experience and understanding. So much is learned by children through being physical - about themselves - the world - other people.........memories - values - strategies may last well into adulthood. It is vital that our Primary friends and colleagues are supported to understand this!
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Much work is needed to ensure that the transition from Reception to Yr 1 in terms of PD improves - better dialogue and communication will help enormously - also sharing of resources/materials - and greater transparency re where help is necessary/available.
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I think both scenarios are likely at the beginning of any change in circumstance - so I would involve the wider group of children as your extended eyes and ears - before each playtime - just gently remind the whole group what is allowed - and what are definite no-no's - being kind and responsible to each other is v v important - they will understand this and...
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Children can be very adept at gauging their own level of risk- challenge - and adventure - and often they do this best within a mixed age group. Gently 'hovering' in the background and allowing play to unfold is so important - notice - and observe individual responses to opportunities to find and stretch boundaries.
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Please could parents put down their phones and listen to their children as they play - they would learn so much!
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So true that SEND children often have 'spiky' profiles - those with SLCN often experience difficulties with manipulative skills - but find moving/locomotor skills less challenging to acquire - all children need a wide range of movement experience every day to ensure they may join in - keep up and contribute - whatever form this may take.
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Yes - it is the joy in movement that we need to ensure for children - and that can often become lost far too soon - the magical feeling of 'I can do it' - all 'by my own' - so important that they become confident and competent movers - physical skills provide the basis for so much learning and development.
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Agree with Lucy here - 2 yr olds can be so organised and focused - and often very funny - always a joy to observe!
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Yes - caring for animals involves a great deal of learning - and can be the source of profound and happy lifelong memories - whether this takes place at home or elsewhere.........lots of interesting learning around forces - the difference between a pat, a stroke, a rub or a cuddle - how do animals run and walk - roll - crawl - or swim and climb is it different...
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Some wonderfully sensitive observations here - and a real understanding shown of how all areas of learning relate to one another - and how important the physical domain is in ensuring smooth overall development.
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I think the idea of communities working together to grow/cook/eat food together is really positive - to share resources and materials and ensure younger members can access essential knowledge and information.
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Such a wide and interesting range of experiences here from around the world - mostly agreeing that there are issues that may be addressed positively given the right support - knowledge and encouragement.
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Maybe we need to remember that all the brief 'incidental' or spontaneous times in the day when children could move may add up to something quite significant - just taking a bit longer to get from a to b - to make circle times more movement friendly - it doesn't have to be organised - just plant the idea!
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
So encouraging to read such positive and proactive comments - there is real will here to provide movement opportunities for all children - at all stages of development - and an understanding of why this is so vitally important.
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Dr Lala Manners replied to Sylvane Munezero
Also - as children grow and develop - movement becomes their 'currency' - how they create and sustain meaningful relationships - how language is rehearsed and refined in relevant contexts - v v important they can join in - keep up and contribute - at whatever level suits them on any particular day.
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Dr Lala Manners replied to Kate Wood
Yes - so important that the early movement skills continue to be practised - even when children have acquired much more complex and demanding skills - they support the strength - balance - co ordination and agility needed for daily life - and they are also v v useful for us to practice also - try sometime!
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Some wonderfully sensitive observations here - and a real understanding of the importance of providing a wide range of sensory experience - how very early on preferences are shown by children.
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Dr Lala Manners replied to Chee Cubillos
So interesting to read the wide range of experiences here - and how we often carry these experiences into adulthood - and our practice.
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Interesting awareness of the issues - and agree - it is often really hard to mention these to parents - especially if they are stressed and exhausted........... often we do exactly the same to ourselves though - sit for too long - strapped into cars.......good role modelling so important!
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
Some great responses here - definitely a move away from expensive resources - and an appreciation of what parents can do to support children's physical development at little or no cost - remember it should be fun too!
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Dr Lala Manners made a comment
So good to see the uniqueness of each child being highlighted - so often twins are assumed to be similar - and they may be quite different in all sorts of ways - lovely to read of personal experiences and what was learned along the way.
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Dr Lala Manners replied to Joulia Ewaida
Some really interesting and useful comments here that give much pause for thought and reflect the lived experience of many.
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Often getting the parents/carers to move has a real impact on family level of engagement in physical activity - it is also really bonding for a group to move/sing together - it breaks down many barriers.......and so good for children to see their parents actually enjoying the experience!
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Great to hear the promotion of resources that are easily available and free to access - this ensures that skills may be transferred from school to home - to other environments the children experience - and also include wider family/community members in physical activities
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Dr Lala Manners replied to Beverley Peacock
Interestingly - re the comment re possibility of being sued - in NZ there is a state run insurance plan run by the Accident Compensation Commission - that covers the costs if anyone is injured at nursery/school - so teachers feel freer to afford for risky play - it has made a significant difference to practice over there.
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So lovely to hear that they could take shoes and socks off - really important that children have the chance to go barefoot whenever possible - its good for supporting their balance - and strengthening muscles that support ankle joints.
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Dr Lala Manners replied to Samantha Bland-Kanes
The general guidance is up to 30 mins per day - accumulative - so depending on the baby - maybe 2-3 mins - no more than 5 mins at a time - the Pikler approach does not recommend tummy time until around 6 months - so it is really up to the parent/carer to decide what works best for each baby - some are blissfully happy from early on being independent in this...
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Yes - you are so right! Particularly now - when many children need to rediscover their joy and confidence in being physical together - to go as fast as possible - to climb as high as they can - to feel free in whatever amount of space is available to them - so much learning happens within physical play - maybe the most important type of play children experience.
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This is so interesting - I have twin brothers who are blind - for them as young children - throwing was all about the physical sensations of power - and whole-body movement - try presenting a wide variety of objects - different weights/shapes/textures - what about aiming for water (paddling pool/puddle) - so he can hear the splash - or a sheet of paper that...
