Research Conversations: Exploring children and young people’s physical literacy

Join us for this two-part online seminar, where Dr Jane Dorrian and Julie Powell will explore the impact and legacy of the Welsh Active Early Years Project and Dr Linda Plowright-Pepper will share the findings from a recent project with Leap

In this third seminar of the year hosted by The Open University's Children's Research Centre, we examine two different projects exploring the importance of physical activity in children’s lives. We consider the impact that engagement in physical activity can have on young children and their parents/carers as well as exploring what children want from their physical activity and the challenges of engaging young people in research advisory roles.

The seminar aims to inspire and inform, as well as provide a shared space to discuss.

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Jane and Julie will present insights from the Welsh Active Early Years project, which was funded by the Welsh Government’s Healthy and Active Fund. The project aimed to introduce young children to physical activity and movement without a sport discipline focus, using local community spaces. As well as looking at the impact that engagement in the sessions had on children’s wellbeing, the project also aimed to examine the impact on the wellbeing and physical activity of their parents/carers. The first of the COVID 19 lockdowns coincided with the launch of the programme and resulted in a change of delivery and focus, but the project went ahead and the findings from it have resulted in the development of a diverse range of legacy projects that are being delivered by Early Years Wales. One of the key legacy areas is a focus on promoting physical activity for babies and working with parents/carers and early childhood practitioners to develop their skills and understanding of the importance of this aspect.

Linda Plowright-Pepper will report key challenges and findings from the ‘What young people want for their physical activity’: challenges of engaging with young people in research advisory roles 2022/23 HEIF Knowledge Transfer Voucher study. The study built upon her recent PhD experience which engaged with children coresearchers in an autophenomenological study of their chosen physical activity. With the knowledge exchange partner, Leap, Linda sought to engage with less active young people to better understand their attitudes and beliefs about physical activity and what they wanted for their physical activity. She will present the project findings with a focus upon the challenges of engaging in participatory research with young people with non-traditional lifestyles and behaviours and working with gatekeepers of young people.

The Children's Research Centre supports research with, about and led by children and young people. We respect and value the views of children and young people. We seek ways to support greater levels of child and youth engagement and the opportunity for children and young people to have a voice.