Abstract

The Little Movers, Big Thinkers project funded by Sunderland City Council proposes a structured series of creative movement sessions aimed at enhancing physical, emotional, and social development in children and their families. Delivered over ten 2-hour sessions within school settings, each session includes an initial 15-minute discussion with parents to align expectations and session content, followed by a 60-minute interactive physical and creative engagement involving children and their carers. A healthy snack break is incorporated before concluding with a 30-minute summary and completion of individual learning plans with parents. Designed for groups of up to ten children and their families, and with potential participation from school staff, the initiative builds upon the foundational skills developed in the preceding ‘Small Steps, Giant Jumps’ project, emphasizing body and spatial awareness with a focus on understanding bodily function and movement.

The project aims to promote personal, social, and emotional development alongside physical activity, play, and emotional wellbeing. It seeks to foster family creativity within an instructive yet recreational context, encourage positive social skills such as communication and relationship building, and support intergenerational learning. Furthermore, it emphasizes holistic bodily engagement, recognition of diversity, confidence building, and the development of motor skills, balance, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness through high-energy, enjoyable activities.

Programme content is curated by dance artists who integrate thematic materials including music, poetry, stories, and props to stimulate inventive movement and play. Additionally, the dance tutor guides parents and carers to cultivate structured play strategies at home, thereby extending the impact beyond the sessions. This multidisciplinary approach aims to nurture creativity, promote healthy lifestyles, and strengthen familial and social bonds through movement-based learning.