Evaluation of the LEAP pilot project
Find below the latest evaluation from our creative health initiative into early years - Little Explorers And Parents and families project or LEAP – This Northern Ballet initiative was focused in Nursery settings and was delivered by Early Years Practitioners with aspirations of family involvement. As the evaluation document below describes the key aims were to offer an accessible way for pre-school children from disadvantaged areas to engage in movement, music, storytelling, and multisensory experiences. The LEAP project has been piloted in five EY settings across northern England and an evaluation was conducted to gather insights from key people to inform its scalability and transferability. Please download and share the evaluation document and its findings with interested colleagues. The document includes contact details and full acknowledgement
Movement in children specifically develops gross motor and fine motor skills, improving range of motion, coordination, strength and endurance (Faber, 2017). Research conducted in North East England noted a strong association between physical activity, motor skills and the likelihood of achieving school readiness in 4 and 5 year olds LEAP evaluation report July 2024 Page 5 (Jones et al, 2021). Movement also provides an opportunity for cognitive development by contributing to neurological organization in the brain and complex thought process growth, as well as intertwined communitive, emotional and social development. Bodily movement becomes a powerful tool for young children when learning to express themselves (Faber, 2017). Creating opportunities for children to move encourages bodily awareness and a consciously expressive and communicative child through intentional movements and gestures. Research conducted in school settings in the US found that movement in the classroom built confidence and social skills (Gehris et al, 2014). Relationships between educators and students were also strengthened as movement promoted emotional connections and trust.
S Visram et al July 2024