We all know our kids need to move more. The SIMPLE Movement Programme has a simple mission: to get children everywhere more active, which in turn has been shown to support reading ability, working memory and reasoning skills. Here’s how the programme works, and how you can get involved to help give your child an “I can do it” attitude.
Get Up, Get Out
It’s recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. But did you know that physical activities such as running, jumping, balancing, throwing, twisting and turning don’t just exercise the body — they exercise the mind too?
To take part in these activities, children need to focus, switch easily between tasks, and use their memory constantly. These are exactly the same skills used in learning situations. And of course, time spent being active is time spent away from a screen.
You may also enjoy — The Necessity of Getting Children Out to Play
The SIMPLE Physical Literacy Programme
The SIMPLE Physical Literacy Programme was designed by Dr Alweena Awan, a teacher of 23 years who ran daily PE with her class. She noticed that her students were consistently strong readers, which led her to explore the link between daily PE and learning. That research became a PhD entitled “Raising children’s learning and performance in a primary school” — and from it came the SIMPLE Physical Literacy Programme.
How to Get Involved and Get the Kids More Active
Motivating children to exercise can feel like a chore unless it’s an activity they genuinely enjoy. Building daily physical activity into family life from an early age makes a real difference. Children thrive on routine — just as you teach them to brush their teeth morning and night, an exercise routine becomes second nature when it’s part of the daily rhythm.
Ways to Get Active
- Attend a class together — baby yoga, baby swim, or similar.
- Play games with your toddler — place objects just out of reach so they crawl or toddle to get them, play ring-a-rosie, bounce on the trampoline, or simply hold hands and go for a walk.
- Get outdoors and use a ball to throw, kick and bounce to each other. As children grow, introduce bats or rackets to build coordination.
- Take a daily walk, jog, swim, cycle, scoot or run together, just for fun.
Make these part of your daily routine, and your child is far more likely to carry activity habits into their tween and teenage years, and on into adulthood.
SIMPLE Training
Anyone with a passion for motivating children to move more can take part in SIMPLE Training.
For Parents
SIMPLE training for parents is a one-day, face-to-face workshop. It gives you insight into how the world looks and feels from your child’s perspective, and how movement and sequencing shape learning and behaviour.
For Teachers & Coaches
SIMPLE training for teachers and coaches runs over two energetic, face-to-face days. Whether you’re a teacher hoping to build more PE into your students’ week, or you want to become a SIMPLE coach running after-school classes or parties, this training is designed to help you get there.
For Schools or At Home
SIMPLE also offers subscription plans, giving access to videos, lesson plans and support from Dr A and Dr E — ideal for anyone who wants to work through the programme at their own pace. There’s a free trial available, along with a full library of movement videos accessible once you register, and a blog with ongoing ideas and support for getting kids active.
Alternative Child Centre Method Workshops
SIMPLE Physical Literacy also runs day and weekend workshops in the Child Centre Method. These cover:
- Primitive and postural reflexes
- Practical examples to apply what you’ve learned
- Visual training
- Physical training through tests and exercises
Here’s what one participant had to say:
“I decided to do the course for a number of reasons. I wanted to work with children in a different way rather than just looking at it from a speech and language therapy perspective, I have an interest in kinesiology and I am currently completing touch for health so it seemed to overlap for me. I came across the training out of the blue and was drawn to it initially because one of the teachers was a speech and language therapist and I thought ‘finally I can speak to a speech and language therapist that is thinking along the same lines that I am’. I was very curious about the work and went in with an open mind and an open heart. I have already recommended the workshop to other colleagues and friends and would do another workshop in the future.”
Over to you — are you interested in getting the kids more active with the SIMPLE Programme? Let us know in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SIMPLE Movement Programme?
It’s a physical literacy programme developed by Dr Alweena Awan, designed to build daily movement into children’s routines in a way that supports both physical development and learning.
How much daily activity do children need?
Children are generally recommended to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Is the programme only for schools?
No. There are options for parents, teachers, coaches, and families at home, including training days, subscription plans, and workshops.
Can I try it before committing to training?
Yes — SIMPLE offers a free trial of its subscription plan, along with free videos once you register.
Related Articles
- The Necessity of Getting Children Out to Play
- Fun Ways to Get Your Toddler Moving Every Day
- Screen-Free Activities the Whole Family Can Enjoy
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