Many children now spend a significant proportion of their day within nursery and educational settings. Regular opportunities for movement, climbing, balancing, swinging and exploration can help children engage with their environment in a meaningful and enjoyable way.
Unlike many areas of learning, movement activities can be adapted to suit individual abilities, allowing every child to participate and experience success at their own level.
For some children, opportunities for movement may support confidence, body awareness, self-regulation, engagement and participation throughout the day whilst helping reduce periods of sedentary activity, even during poor weather.
Little Gymmies aims to create familiar, adaptable opportunities for movement that can be incorporated into everyday routines at home, within nurseries and in educational settings.
Movement Opportunities Throughout the Day
Little Gymmies Active Play System is designed to create inclusive opportunities for movement, exploration and active play. Through climbing, balancing, swinging, exploring and imaginative play, children can engage at their own pace according to their interests, abilities and stage of development.
We recognise that every child is unique. Families and professionals may be supporting children with a wide range of additional needs, diagnoses, physical abilities, sensory preferences and communication styles. The modular and adaptable nature of the Little Gymmies Active Play System allows activities, challenges and accessories to evolve alongside the child while providing familiar and repeatable opportunities for movement and play. Whether used within the home, nursery, educational or professional setting, our focus is not on an individual’s limitations, but on building confidence, participation and existing skills through meaningful movement experiences.
For some settings, Little Gymmies may complement wider SEND provision and support objectives identified for individual children through targeted movement, sensory exploration, participation and confidence-building opportunities.
Sensory Exploration & Regulation
Movement provides opportunities for children to experience vestibular input, proprioceptive input and sensory exploration through active play. Activities such as climbing, swinging, balancing and exploring movement challenges may help children learn more about their bodies while engaging in enjoyable play experiences.
For some families and professionals, movement opportunities may form part of a wider sensory diet, supporting children who seek movement, physical challenge or sensory experiences throughout the day. The familiar and adaptable nature of the Little Gymmies Active Play System may also provide opportunities for some children with visual impairment or differing sensory needs to explore movement, develop confidence and engage with their environment through touch, motion and physical exploration.
Self-Regulation & Wellbeing
Some children naturally seek movement when they are excited, overwhelmed, frustrated or simply full of energy. Active play can provide opportunities to move, explore and engage in purposeful physical activity within a familiar environment.
For some children, movement experiences such as climbing, swinging and active exploration may become valuable parts of daily routines that support engagement, participation and emotional wellbeing.
Independent Play & Discovery
Children learn through exploration. Little Gymmies encourages children to make choices, solve problems, test ideas and build confidence through active discovery.
Whether imagining a pirate ship, mountain climb, jungle adventure or secret hideaway, children become active participants in their own play while developing independence and confidence at their own pace.
Family Engagement
Inclusive play means involving the whole family. Parents, grandparents, carers and siblings can all participate at a level that feels comfortable for them.
The versatility and manoeuvrability of the Little Gymmies Active Play System allows active play opportunities to be created within everyday family spaces. Rather than activities taking place in a separate room or dedicated play area, the system can be set up within the family living room or other shared spaces, helping children remain connected to family life and allowing more opportunities for interaction, encouragement and participation.
When active play time is over, the system can be easily dismantled and stored away, allowing family spaces to return to their usual purpose. This flexibility enables families and professionals to create dedicated opportunities for movement and play when appropriate, while maintaining routines and reducing unnecessary distractions at other times.
For some families this may mean climbing and playing together. For others it may mean offering encouragement, sharing stories, making silly noises, creating imaginative adventures or simply being present. Every family member has something valuable to contribute, and every child deserves the opportunity to feel included.
Little Gymmies may be of interest to families, nurseries and professionals supporting children with a wide range of additional needs and differing abilities, including ADHD, ASD, GDD, SPD, Down Syndrome, Dyspraxia, Cerebral Palsy, visual impairment and children with reduced mobility or who use wheelchairs.
Every child is unique, and opportunities for movement, exploration and play should always be considered in line with individual needs, abilities and professional guidance where appropriate.
