Collaborative research highlights importance of training and education to support professionals and families with children’s physical literacy


05.07.2022

Research by PhD student Dr Amanda John, who graduates today from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) Carmarthen campus as a Doctor of Philosophy has highlighted the importance of developing robust professional development and training for early years teachers and all adults working with young children so that they can support the children’s physical development with appropriate activities and environments.

Dr John’s research has been accepted for presentation at the CIAPSE Conference in Luxembourg later this year and complements the extensive body of research that the Wales Academy for Health and Physical Literacy has developed in early childhood physical development.

This work builds on over 30 years of research conducted by Professor Jackie Goodway from The Ohio State University in the USA globally and emphasises the need for more work supporting physical development in early childhood to support positive health trajectories for our children in Wales.

Professor Goodway was part of Dr John’s supervisory team along with Dr Nalda Wainwright and Dr Andy Williams. Dr John’s study examined the impact of the SKIP Cymru programme on children’s motor skills, self-perceptions of movement and physical activity and was an EU funded project in partnership with Sport Wales.

Dr John’s research has been accepted for presentation at the CIAPSE Conference in Luxembourg later this year and complements the extensive body of research that the Wales Academy for Health and Physical Literacy has developed in early childhood physical development.

The SKIP Cymru work has been recognised for its impact as a recommendation in the Welsh Government Health and Social Care and Sport Committee report on the Physical Activity of Children and Young People as a case study for the Journey to a Healthier Wales support materials for the Well-being of Future Generations Act and as an impact case study for UWTSD’s REF 2021 submission.

Dr John and the team at WAHPL are continuing to apply this research into practice with the ongoing development of training programmes for teachers, early years practitioners, sports coaches, volunteers, and parents.

Dr Wainwright, programme lead for the MA is Director of the Wales Academy for Health and Physical literacy at UWTSD said: “I am so proud to see Amanda graduating with her PhD, she has worked extremely hard through her journey firstly on our MA programme and then taking her research to new level for her doctorate. This is such an important area of research which we need now more than ever to support professionals and families with children’s physical literacy.

“I am so delighted that Professor Goodway was able to be here for the graduation as we are continuing to develop our research collaboration and create opportunities for students at UWTSD to support health and physical literacy in Wales.”

Professor Goodway was part of Dr John’s supervisory team along with Dr Nalda Wainwright and Dr Andy Williams.

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Swyddog Gweithredol Cysylltiadau â’r Wasg a’r Cyfryngau

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer

Cyfathrebu Corfforaethol a Chysylltiadau Cyhoeddus

Corporate Communications and PR

Mobile: 07384 467071

Email: Rebecca.Davies@uwtsd.ac.uk