ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author focuses the physical development lens on babies to three-year-olds, exploring the ramifications of children encountering plentiful and varied explorations with sensory-rich materials and the benefits these afford for meeting the physical development needs of young children. She explores some simple yet effective approaches for reversing these trends. Drawing on her work with treasure baskets and other sensory materials such as paint, sand and water, several “vignettes” are introduced to highlight everyday ways in which the physical development needs of babies and toddlers might be met and White’s concept of “movement-rich environments” attained. The play vignettes provide examples of simple everyday activities, highlighting the physical development opportunities offered to young children and scope for movement-enhancing features to inspire movement. Drawing from simple examples of play with sensory materials and treasure baskets, the links between children’s movement and their exploration, play, communication and thinking are evident.
