SIMPLE stands for Sensory, Integration, Movement, Programme for Learning Enhancement.
The SIMPLE physical literacy programme is the first programme that is researched at PhD level to show that physical literacy has a positive impact on literacy. It is the culmination of 30 years worth of observing, teaching and studying children, movement and learning.
SIMPLE is an inclusive programme designed to cater for children of all abilities. The children move on, at their own pace, in a competition free environment. All children can push themselves to their own limits during the programme.
Yes, SIMPLE can help all children raise their learning ability. Research shows that up to 30% of children are struggling in some way in school. Many of these children will be borderline cases and will never receive a referral for learning support. Their struggle can be reduced by taking part in the SIMPLE movement programme 3 times per week.
The perils of modern life are such that, children have less opportunity to be on the floor as infants, sleep on their tummies and engage in rough and tumble play. The impact of this lack of free movement, on developmental milestones in children is significant. Primitive reflexes are being retained, long after they are useful for protection.
Primitive reflexes are for protection as an infant. When retained, they prevent movements becoming smooth and automatic. The movements remain as a reflex and not under conscious control. Children are then, not in control of their own bodies. This is very stressful for them. If a child feels unsafe, their eyes are darting all around to scan for danger and they appear distracted and unfocused.
School readiness has become a hot topic in recent years, with one in 4 children ,not ready for school in spite of their being there. Physical literacy is school readiness. If a child is master of her own body, she will be confident to move around a classroom with ease, competent to undertake new tasks and motivated to discover new materials and new friends to work with School readiness has become a hot topic in recent years, with one in 4 children ,not ready for school in spite of their being there. Physical literacy is school readiness. If a child is master of her own body, she will be confident to move around a classroom with ease, competent to undertake new tasks and motivated to discover new materials and new friends to work with.
Learning to read and write are, extremely complex, neurological tasks. Being physically capable in your own body and then in your own environment are precursors to literacy skills.
Mother nature has kindly set it up, that the hand to face distance in crawling, is the same distance from eye to page in reading and then writing. Eyes become accustomed to focusing at that distance, long before literacy skills are attempted.
It stands to reason then, that if a child doesn’t crawl on all fours, there’s a higher chance of them having an issue with learning to read later on.
Executive functions are higher brain functions. The lower parts of the brain are involved in automatic, reflex activity. The higher parts of the brain are involved in reasoning, complex thoughts and attentive behaviours.
The executive functions associated with school readiness are 1) Focused attention, even when a bird flies in the window, the focus remains…if they are engaged in the task at hand. 2) Working memory, taking a sequence of instructions and following in the correct order or in reverse, whichever the occasion calls for. 3) Switching from task to task with ease. Children who can see their classmate is working with the tower at the moment, can switch their attention to another activity, without throwing themselves on the floor in tantrum.
Executive functions are an indicator of the maturity of the central nervous system.
Executive functions are higher brain functions. The lower parts of the brain are involved in automatic, reflex activity. The higher parts of the brain are involved in reasoning, complex thoughts and attentive behaviours.
The executive functions associated with school readiness are 1) Focused attention, even when a bird flies in the window, the focus remains…if they are engaged in the task at hand. 2) Working memory, taking a sequence of instructions and following in the correct order or in reverse, whichever the occasion calls for. 3) Switching from task to task with ease. Children who can see their classmate is working with the tower at the moment, can switch their attention to another activity, without throwing themselves on the floor in tantrum.
Executive functions are an indicator of the maturity of the central nervous system.
The SIMPLE programme trains children’s balance. When the balance improves, gravitational security kicks in and children feel safe in their environment. Their eyes can remain focused as they don’t need to scan for danger constantly.
In SIMPLE the children switch activity every 3 minutes, this is great training for task switching. SIMPLE has been proven in the literature to improve working memory.
SIMPLE improves the functioning of the brain or cognitive ability.
Obesity rates are growing so much, that 1 in 3 children are overweight or obese. The knock on effects are damaging to the children and to the health service. Children are much more sedentary than they were 20 years ago. The British Heart foundation states that only 9% of 4 year olds achieve the recommended daily activity levels.
SIMPLE is a 30-40 minute physical exercise class that children take part in 3 times per week. When children become more physically literate and they are confident in their ability to take part in more sport, they will.
To receive the optimal benefit from SIMPLE, the child needs to attend 3 times per week. It is generally accepted that to make a change (e.g going to the gym) we need to apply ourselves 3 times per week or more.
SIMPLE is a therapeutic programme which also develops all the necessary skills for taking part in many sports. If a child is struggling with co-ordination and balance, it is better for them to sort out these issues with SIMPLE before joining a team or a club to play a specific sport.