Big Moves

The BIG MOVES Developmental Movement Intervention Programme has been created to help children in mainstream school improve their physical development and has impacts on wider school life, including developing listening and concentration, learning success and appropriate behaviour.

Developed over a six year period in a Leicestershire school, this programme is based on how the brain develops in early childhood and the foundation sensory and motor skills that every child needs to succeed in school and life. It explains the BIG MOVES every child has to experience in childhood before they can move on to using the small moves of the eyes and fingers for learning in the classroom.

 Improvements noted from using BIG MOVES! include:

• Significantly raised value added scores in KS1
• Better listening and concentration
• Improved ability to follow instructions.
• Better posture, no longer slumping in the chair.
• More imagination & creativity
• Improved ability to sit still and less fidgeting
• More determination and ability to persevere.
• Less complaining of tiredness
• Improved pencil grip
• Improved handwriting
• Improved tool use, including safe use of scissors.
• Raised independence, including in writing
• Greater confidence
• Better vocabulary about their own bodies
• ‘Self Organising’

In South Leicestershire, Big Moves has been delivered in more than 50 schools over the past 3 years, with around 10 targeted children in each school, based on movement assessment results. A parent resource is provided.

“Big Moves programme was very successful, results seen quickly. We will carry on the programme next year.” – The Pastures Primary

“Really works. Couldn’t believe results in final movement assessment- huge improvement for some.” – Market Harborough CE Primary

“Extremely useful programme. We have passed information to the pre school who have used some of the exercises with younger children.” – Croft Primary

The impact of the work has been monitored across a range of measures, and the results have shown a significant impact: