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Hey, I'm Robyn from Play Move Improve. I am an Exercise Physiologist, Developmental Educator and Trainer who is passionate about getting more children active and moving each day. Discover strategies to improve children's spatial awareness, balance, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and much m…

Robyn Papworth


    • Apr 11, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 13m AVG DURATION
    • 56 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Play Move Improve

    How children's interoception sensory challenges may impact their toileting

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 18:47


    Learn more about the sensation called interoception here - https://play-move-improve.ck.page/products/interoception-webinar-recording

    5 motor development skills that children learn with gymnastics

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2023 24:05


    As a paediatric Exercise Physiologist I often refer my clients to kindergym and gymnastics programs to work on their fundamental movement skills while also completing their Exercise Physiology programs. Gymnastics provides children with the opportunity to build up their physical literacy as well as their confidence, and that's why I am passionate about raising awareness for the importance of gymnastics for children's motor skill development. In this episode you will learn about skills such as reflex integration, bilateral coordination, crossing the midline, and vestibular balance. To learn more come along to my gymnastics and motor skills webinar on May 5th, 2023 - https://www.playmoveimprove.com.au/products/how-gymnastics-is-important-for-childrens-motor-skills-workshop-nsw-2023

    How to support children with autism with their clumsiness and balance skills

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2023 15:32


    Learn more - https://www.playmoveimprove.com.au/products/how-to-support-children-with-autism-with-their-clumsiness-and-balance In this episode I explain the 5 systems of balance and why some people with autism with struggle with their balance, and experience clumsiness. To learn more about motor skill development and autism sign up to my upcoming autism webinar -

    Early childhood play behaviours - dumping and trajectory

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2023 16:31


    Want to know how to reduce your overwhelm when dealing with children's dumping, trajectory and transformation play schemas. In this episode I share my own journey with my children's repetitive and sometimes frustrating play behaviours and ways to reduce your frustration as well as continue to advance children's play skills and learning.

    What is emotional regulation and how can I help my child to regulate their emotions

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2022 32:50


    Here I share my personal challenges with emotional regulation and how I have learnt over many years of research and therapy how to connect more with the right hemisphere of my brain to experience self-regulation and control of my overwhelming emotions. Share your experience with emotional regulation in my non-judgmental Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/playmoveimprove

    Supporting children with dyslexia by building a strong motor sequencing foundation first

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2022 14:47


    In this episode I share my personal experience with a close friend who has dyslexia and the importance of viewing dyslexia from a motor sequencing and visual processing perspective, not just letter and number reversals. Pre-reading activity pack here - https://www.playmoveimprove.com.au/products/pre-reading-activity-pack-for-children-aged-3-years-to-6-years-pdf

    Child development car chat - how to support children's play in 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2022 5:29


    In this episode I chat about my current child development and play observations and how we can support children with their play skills in 2022 and 2023.

    Early childhood training - parent education - carrying children to kindergarten

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2022 2:53


    Early childhood training - parent education - carrying children to kindergarten

    Early childhood - How to set up play environment spaces to promote children's development

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2022 8:18


    Early childhood - How to set up play environment spaces to promote children's development

    Early childhood training - why head movement is important for children

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2022 9:19


    Early childhood training - why head movement is important for children

    How to support children during snack time - early childhood kindergarten training

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2022 7:24


    How to support children during snack time - early childhood kindergarten training Learn more here - Early childhood play coaching online training and resource package – Play Move Improve

    Primary school curriculum - Promoting motor skills for reading programs

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2022 6:06


    Join paediatric Exercise Physiologist Robyn as she shares her passion about motor skill development for reading. For more information check out Play Move Improve on Instagram

    What are play schemas and how do we support children with their play skill development?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2022 18:41


    In this episode I chat all about children's play schemas and how to support children with their play development when they're stuck in these play schemas in the kindergarten classroom. Discover more play schema ideas with this Tik Tok video - https://www.tiktok.com/@playmoveimprove/video/7105205124410248450

    Crossing the midline education and ideas for preschool families

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2022 13:13


    Here is a webinar audio snippet from an early childhood family education webinar where I chat about crossing the midline, and share simple crossing the midline activity ideas that families can do at home with their children.

    5 motor skills that dance teachers can incorporate into their programs to promote children's physical development

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2022 11:12


    Discover these 5 motor skills that dance teachers can incorporate into their programs to promote children's physical development.

    How to use a metronome in an early childhood environment to support children's motor skills and development

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2022 17:47


    In this episode I share 3 strategies for how to use a metronome in an early childhood environment to support children's motor skills and development.

    Early childhood education - meeting children at their developmental level since social isolation lockdowns

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2022 14:43


    In this episode I chat about the importance of meeting children at their developmental level since social isolation lockdowns over the past 2 years. Continue this conversation on my Facebook page - www.facebook.com/playmoveimprove

    Homeschooling Journey Chat with Jami from Unbound Homeschooling

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2021 20:29


    Enjoy my authentic chat with Jami from Unbound Homeschooling as she talks about her homeschooling journey with her daughter and her son. The reason for me organising this chat with Jami is because I have heard from a few mums who are at a turning point, considering homeschooling rather than mainstream education for their child/ren. I love that Jami shares her real experience as a homeschooling mum. She was so easy to talk to and I can't wait to chat with Jami again :) Check out Jami's instagram account at

    Supporting children's separation anxiety as they return to kindergarten after lockdown

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2021 16:33


    In this episode I share strategies for children aged 18 months to 5 years to help you plan for ways that you can support children after a long stint of lockdown. You can find more strategies in my latest ebook - https://www.playmoveimprove.com.au/products/sensori-motor-strategies-for-children-with-anxiety-ebook

    Screen time for children aged 18 months to 3 years of age

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2021 9:21


    In this quick podcast episode I share my opinion about screen time for children who are aged 18 months to 3 years if age. I would love to read your feedback at www.facebook.com/playmoveimprove

    screen time children aged
    Simple play activities that you can do at home to compliment increased screen time during lockdown

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2021 23:57


    Enjoy my chat with We Rise Networking where I chat about simple play activities that you can do at home to compliment increased screen time during lockdown. Check out Women in Business AUS/NZ - We Rise Networking | Facebook Join in my webinar tomorrow where I chat more about children's school readiness and motor skill development - Free Q&A School Readiness Webinar - click drop down box – Play Move Improve

    Check out my podcast This is a Box to support educators and teachers who may be feeling like they don't fit inside the box

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2021 1:06


    https://open.spotify.com/show/6pyrssE7eJfsJDQpsCEHJP In the link above you will find my latest podcast This is a Box. This podcast is unedited, raw, and authentic, and I'll be sharing my experiences as a child who experienced trauma as well as a mum who has a child who doesn't fit inside the box at school. My podcast episodes will be guided by your feedback and what you would all like to listen to. This podcast is a community podcast where we can all support each other and continue to provide incredible support for children who have already experienced challenge and adversity. Thanks for your support :)

    Visual tracking for early childhood preschoolers and primary aged children

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2021 10:42


    All of our children, including mine, are spending hours on screens during lockdowns and remote learning. So in this episode I share some simple visual tracking knowledge and tips to help find a healthy balance between screen time and visual tracking skills. If you would like more visual tracking play ideas check out my latest book - Early Childhood Movement Program Book by Robyn Papworth – Play Move Improve

    Sensory play for your family during lockdown with Robyn Papworth

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2021 10:40


    We're all finding lockdown exhausting and overwhelming so in this podcast episode I share my top 3 sensory therapy tips that may bring comfort to you and your family, or the children that you care for in a classroom setting. Learn more about sensory play in my webinar here - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/164450220035 and share your favourite sensory play ideas on my Facebook page - www.facebook.com/playmoveimprove to help our beautiful community.

    How to improve children's balance skills

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2021 12:53


    Enjoy my next early childhood education podcast episode about how to improve children's balance skills. If you loved this podcast episode, you will love my Early Learning Movement and Play course. Check it out here - https://play-move-improve.thinkific.com/courses/early-learning-movement-and-play-course

    How to encourage early childhood outdoor mud kitchen play

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2021 9:14


    If you enjoyed this episode about how to encourage children's development through outdoor mud kitchen play, then you'll love learning more play strategies and activity ideas here - https://play-move-improve.thinkific.com/courses/early-learning-movement-and-play-course

    Early childhood conference - sensory play strategies recording - 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2021 75:29


    In this episode I share a recording of my presentation about how educators and teachers can implement a range of sensory play strategies in early childhood classrooms to promote literacy, numeracy, and play skills. If you love this episode, please leave a review or share your feedback on my Instagram - www.instagram.com/playmoveimprove

    Repeating 4 year old kinder was the best decision I made for our family

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2021 10:17


    My 4 year old Phoebe just wasn't ready for prep this year. In this podcast I chat about my journey and my tips for how I made the difficult decision to repeating 4 year old kinder for my daughter. Share your concerns and comments on my Facebook page - www.facebook.com/playmoveimprove

    Kindergarten classroom observation - preschool girl with spatial awareness difficulties

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2020 12:01


    In this episode I chat about what I see at a Developmental Educator and Exercise Physiologist in a kindergarten classroom observation for a preschool girl who demonstrates spatial awareness difficulties; writing her name in mirrored format, finding it difficult to move throughout the playground, and finding it challenging to find her feet during the song 'heads, shoulders, knees, and toes'. If you enjoyed this episode please share your experiences and feedback on my facebook page - www.facebook.com/playmoveimprove Thanks for listening :)

    Child development real mum chat with Ash from Rainbow Sky Creations

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2020 19:05


    Tune in to our real mum chat with Ash from Rainbow Sky Creations. Ash and I talk about how we're surviving as busy working mums during social isolation. Ash also shares her tips as a teacher, for ways to engage children during remote learning. To learn more about the fantastic resources from Rainbow Sky Creations click here - https://www.facebook.com/rainbowskycreations/

    Early learning during covid19 chat with Kristy from Early Childhood Expectations

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2020 21:43


    Enjoy listening to my Early learning during covid19 chat with Kristy from Early Childhood Expectations. During this episode we chat about how educators can reduce the feeling over overwhelm and stress during this difficult time, and how early childhood educators can share their support with families who have young children during social isolation. Follow Kristy on her social media channels: https://www.instagram.com/earlychildhoodexpectations/ https://www.facebook.com/earlychildhoodexpectations/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-childhood-expectations/

    How to work at home while homeschooling children during the coronavirus pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2020 21:10


    How to work at home while homeschooling children during the coronavirus pandemic I was asked this question by a hard working mum, so here are my top tips to manage working from home while also managing our children during this very challenging time. If you have any ideas to share with families, please continue this conversation on my Facebook page - www.facebook.com/playmoveimprove

    Technology use and screen time during coronavirus pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2020 10:14


    We're all relying on technology more than ever right now, trying to survive and maintain our sanity while in social isolation with our families. Our children are using laptops to complete school work, our toddlers are using smart devices to give us 10 minutes of peace and quiet. In this episode I share my ideas about technology use and screen time during the coronavirus pandemic, and how we can still maintain a healthy balance between screen time, learning, and physical activity. Continue the conversation by sharing your thoughts and experiences on my Facebook page - www.facebook.com/playmoveimprove

    Should we be worrying about homeschooling during this coronavirus pandemic?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2020 9:39


    Should we be worrying about homeschooling during this coronavirus pandemic? We are feeling pressured to follow a curriculum that was created for a qualified teacher in a classroom setting. Teachers are feeling pressured to turn their classroom content into online lesson plans so that our children 'don't feel behind'. But is this all necessary during a pandemic? Or should we be focusing on providing children with love and life skills right now? Please share your thoughts on my Facebook page, to help support other parents and teachers in our current situation - www.facebook.com/playmoveimprove

    How anxiety may impact children's homeschooling during covid19 and what you can do to help

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2020 12:27


    We all have anxiety. Anxiety can be a good thing when we know how to use anxiety to our learning advantage. In this episode I talk about how to motivate children to learn during homeschooling in social isolation, and how anxiety can have a positive or negative impact on children's ability to focus and pay attention during their covid19 homeschooling sessions. To learn more about children's learning and development, check out my Facebook page - www.facebook.com/playmoveimprove

    Facebook Live recording about surviving social isolation with young children

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2020 23:13


    Listen to our conversation about surviving the pandemic social isolation with Robyn from Play Move Improve and Ash from Smashed it Dance Company. Ash and Robyn talk about lowering our expectations to save our sanity, and ways to keep children active while we're at home. If you enjoyed this episode, follow me on Facebook to see our up and coming live chats and homeschooling videos - www.facebook.com/playmoveimprove

    Providing child development support during this social isolation pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2020 5:13


    During this podcast episode, I just wanted to share my story, to why I became a children's Exercise Physiologist, and to reach out to see how I can help you get through this challenging time of social isolation with young children. If you have a question, or need ideas to keep busy kids entertained and active, simply message me on Facebook or Instagram under the name Play Move Improve.

    Child development question - observing children with trauma in the kindergarten classroom

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2020 14:15


    I was asked a great question by a preschool supervisor, about whether one of her students may be struggling in the kindergarten classroom because of his history of trauma from illness and complex hospital admissions. Join our discussion as I talk about trauma, developmental delay, and infantile reflexes. Feel free to ask me a question for my next podcast episode. I would love to hear from you.

    Early childhood education podcast - Why are children distracted in the classroom?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2020 13:43


    In this podcast episode, I share my case study of a young boy who is 6, and in his first term of prep this year. His mum reported his challenges with getting ready for school in the morning. His teacher is concerned about his distractability during transitioning from circle time to the table. After a conversation about this young boy's behaviour at school and at home, his mum mentioned that this young boy also finds it challenging thinking about consequences before acting in their yard at home. Throughout this episode I share: * What to look for when observing a child's distractability * How our environment can impact our ability to pay attention and focus * The relationship between a child's senses, arousal level, attention, and focus * The information that we need to collect, to be able to help a child who is easily distracted in the classroom If you found this podcast episode helpful, and would like to continue your questions in my online coaching session, click here - https://play-move-improve.thinkific.com/courses/child-development-parenting-mentor-online-program If you would like an in depth training session for your team, click here - https://play-move-improve.thinkific.com/courses/online-learning-support-coaching-session

    Early childhood parenting education - pushing preschoolers in prams

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2020 10:55


    In this early childhood parenting education podcast episode, I talk about our latest lifestyle habit of pushing toddlers and preschoolers in prams and shopping trolleys. This episode is to inform families, not judge them. So please share your positive thoughts and feedback below. To continue this important conversation, come and say hi in my online early childhood community - https://play-move-improve.thinkific.com/manage/communities/edit/Q29tbXVuaXR5LTE1NTA=

    Some days I struggle to play - a real conversation from a tired and overwhelmed mum

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2020 14:25


    This episode is a raw and real chat about how I have been struggling to motivate myself to play with my kids at home. Even though I am known as 'the play lady' at work. I have been struggling to connect at home, as the washing and dishes pile up, and the overwhelm takes over. During this episode, I share 5 strategies that I will be using to help get myself out of this rut, and back connected with my family. I hope you can join me on this journey. If you have any words of wisdom, or ideas to share, please comment below, or in my online community - https://play-move-improve.thinkific.com/communities/Q29tbXVuaXR5LTE1NTA=

    Early learning centre developmental educator observation example

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2020 12:02


    In this episode I describe one of my developmental educator observation sessions in an early learning centre. You will hear me talk about some of the developmental red flags that I observe, and how I work with teachers to source allied health support for children with developmental delay and learning difficulties. To learn more, come and join my early childhood online community - https://play-move-improve.thinkific.com/courses/how-can-i-help-children-to-be-school-ready

    How to know whether your child is ready for kindergarten

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2020 11:06


    In this episode I share with you my 5 milestones for knowing whether your child is ready for kindergarten. Learn more about kindergarten and school readiness in my online early learning community - https://play-move-improve.thinkific.com/courses/how-can-i-help-children-to-be-school-ready

    Why children's dance classes are important for motor development

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2020 11:49


    In this episode Robyn talks about why children's dance classes are important for motor development. The 3 topics that Robyn talks about are: * Fundamental movement skills that are promoted in dance, including jumping, hopping, and skipping * Isolated movements in dance that promote children's coordination * The way dance improves children's balance To learn more about children's motor development visit https://www.facebook.com/playmoveimprove

    Be proud of your yourself as an early learning educator, kindergarten teacher, or elementary teacher

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2019 8:59


    In this episode I encourage early learning educators, kindergarten teachers, and elementary teachers to value their creative skills and strengths that they bring to a child's day. Sometimes we get so overwhelmed by the paperwork pressures of our jobs that we forget to value the magic of teaching. So I encourage educators to be proud of their strengths and to value yourself as you inspire children in your classroom each day. To chat with other teachers and educators who feel your frustration, come and say hi at our free early learning community - https://play-move-improve.thinkific.com/communities/Q29tbXVuaXR5LTE1NTA=

    Early learning education is more about connection than academics

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2019 9:07


    In this episode I talk about an educator who spends quality time connecting with the children that she cares for and their parents. I talk about my passion for promoting connection more than academics. I also talk about a teacher who makes a huge effort to get to know important facts about each of her students so that she can build a connection that is more important than any literacy or math outcome. Share your feedback on my Facebook page - www.facebook.com/playmoveimprove

    academics early learning learning education
    Empathising with teachers' frustration - we need to modify the curriculum instead of the child's learning style

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2019 8:00


    In this episode I empathise with teachers and educators about their frustration with the curriculum that is pushing for academics more than connection and play. I also talk to kindergarten teachers, early learning educators, and primary school teachers about the importance of modifying the curriculum instead of trying to change the children's behaviour or learning needs. However, I do appreciate that this is a lot easier said than done. To learn more, register for my free preschool webinar - https://play-move-improve.ck.page/f5a801bb72

    Homeschooling play activities for children to do on a rainy indoor day

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2019 6:12


    In this episode I share some fun play ideas to keep the children entertained during a rainy indoor day. This episode was inspired by my 6 year old who told me "I'm bored" before 9:30 in the morning. So enjoy the play ideas and please let me know what you think by leaving a review. To get access to 3 free children's exercise videos click here - https://play-move-improve.ck.page/0a04c95037

    Baby development - why is tummy time important for your family

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2019 6:26


    In this episode I talk about what tummy time is, why tummy time is important, and how you can support a baby or child to enjoy tummy time. Any questions be sure to ask on my Facebook page - www.facebook.com/playmoveimprove To learn more about children's core strength and motor development, click here - https://play-move-improve.thinkific.com/courses/how-can-i-help-children-to-be-school-ready

    Child Development - Fine motor skills and hand dominance

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2019 7:33


    In this episode I talk about why using a dominant hand for every day tasks is important for fine motor skill development. To learn more about children's fine motor skill development, click here - https://play-move-improve.thinkific.com/courses/how-can-i-help-children-to-be-school-ready

    Child development - mother's group pressure to sit babies up too early

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2019 7:47


    In this episode I will chat about my own experience with mother's group pressure, as well as how to deal with the pressure to sit our children up before their body is ready. I will also highlight in this episode why tummy time is so important for developing baby's core strength, and some simple tips that you can try and help baby's enjoy tummy time (as much as possible). To learn more about children's development, click here - https://play-move-improve.thinkific.com/courses/how-can-i-help-children-to-be-school-ready

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