UWTSD showcases cross sector approach which improves children’s health and education outcomes on the international stage at Brazil conference
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has showcased its pioneering early childhood motor development programme at a major international conference in Brazil, highlighting how more than 15 years of research in Wales is being translated into practice through professional development, which improves children’s movement skills, physical literacy and lifelong health.
Dr Nalda Wainwright and Dr Amanda John represented UWTSD at the 7th Assembly of the International Motor Development Research Consortium (I-MDRC 7), held in Florianópolis, Brazil. The conference brought together international researchers and practitioners from 6 continents to explore how knowledge of motor development can be translated into better outcomes across the lifespan.
Dr Wainwright was invited to speak at a symposium, where she shared how research undertaken in Wales has informed the development of evidence-based approaches to early childhood movement education.
Drawing on more than 30 years of research in the field, her presentation highlighted the importance of developing fundamental movement skills in the early years and the role adults play in providing children with the right opportunities and experiences.
A key focus was SKIP Cymru (Successful Kinaesthetic Instruction for Pre-schoolers in Wales), an evidence-based professional development programme that equips teachers and early years practitioners with the knowledge and confidence to support children’s motor development.
The research identified significant gaps in children’s foundational movement skills in Wales even in play-based settings, demonstrating that opportunities to play alone are not sufficient. Children also need appropriate activities, instruction and supportive environments to develop essential skills.
Dr Wainwright showcased how UWTSD’s research has moved beyond identifying challenges to developing and evaluating practical solutions. A distinctive feature of the Welsh approach is putting research into practice through professional development, early years interventions and collaboration across education, health, sport and families.
The presentation also highlighted initiatives including Building Foundations for Sport and Mini Movers, which bring different sectors together and collectively transform children’s physical literacy from an early age. The Mini Movers app has also been translated into Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish, extending the reach of Welsh-developed resources to new international audiences.
UWTSD’s contribution also included a poster presentation from Alan Samuel’s PhD research into the Behaviour Change Features of the MiniMovers APP.
Dr Wainwright said:
“With the decline in children’s motor skills is now a global problem, UWTSD’s work here in Wales is of great interest internationally. We know that motor skills support more than just physical activity and health, with impacts on school readiness and links to neurodiversity. With increasing pressure on education and health systems, supporting these skills in early childhood is more important than ever”
Research demonstrating lasting impact
Dr Amanda John also presented a paper examining the long-term impact of SKIP Cymru professional development on children’s motor competence.
The study, Successful Kinaesthetic Instruction for Preschoolers (SKIP Cymru): Evaluating the Long-term Impact of SKIP Teacher Professional Development on Children’s Motor Competence, compared children taught by teachers who had completed SKIP Cymru training with those whose teachers had received no specialist motor skills training.
Findings showed that children taught by SKIP Cymru-trained teachers demonstrated significantly better motor competence than those in the comparison group.
Importantly, teachers were still delivering the programme between six and 31 months after completing their training, demonstrating how professional development can become embedded in long-term teaching practice.
The findings reinforce the value of investing in teachers and early years practitioners to improve children’s movement experiences and outcomes, highlighting how research developed in Wales can make a lasting difference to children’s lives.
Dr Amanda John said:
“Attending the conference demonstrated how our cross-sector approach is unique globally. By bringing together education, health, sport coaches and families, we can transform motor skills and give children the best start in life”
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476