Background on Cora Merkx

Cora completed the HBO-J programme and subsequently worked for 30 years with adults and children in difficult (parenting) situations. At the end of 2016, she moved into childcare. In addition, she completed various courses in psychological assistance and bodywork and worked for 15 years as a self-employed professional in her own practice.

The method

The activity described in the method literally gets toddlers moving, while playfully introducing the four components: movement, grounding, relaxation and breathing.
Using cheerful story cards, a story about the animals from Toddler Movement is told to the toddlers. Afterwards, under the guidance of their childcare professional, the toddlers actively experience and act out the story.
The activity is developed in such a way that the childcare professional needs little preparation. The implementation is also simple.

When developing the stories, the 10 motor skills (Knowledge Centre for Sport & Physical Activity) and the 4 S test (W. van Gelder, H. Stroes, revised 2015) were used as guiding principles. This was chosen in order to create a balanced movement activity tailored to the target group. As a result, the Toddler Movement method connects with movement programmes and tests commonly used in primary education.

The method always works with the same animal characters: parrot, hippopotamus, lion, frog and snake. Each animal has its own qualities and character traits, linked to the four components. The stories are connected to common themes used in childcare.

The Toddler Movement activity can easily be incorporated into the daily routine at a daycare centre through the method. Toddler Movement is great fun because the toddlers enjoy it immensely. In half an hour, they have released their excess energy, become more relaxed and feel better, both literally and figuratively.

Each story in the method consists of general instructions, ten story cards, instructions for the activity and a cheat sheet to use during the activity. Four themed stories are always compiled in one folder.

The book

The method comes with a book. This book provides the foundation for the Toddler Movement teaching method.

Five components are important for giving toddlers optimal development opportunities and good health:

  • movement
  • grounding
  • relaxation
  • breathing
  • playing outdoors

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we often forget to give space and time to these aspects, which reinforce one another. This book helps you look differently at how to structure the day at childcare, in the early years of primary school and at home. Thanks to the clear guidance, childcare professionals, early-years primary school teachers and parents and grandparents can support toddlers in what they need, enabling them to grow into healthy adults.

Each chapter contains recognisable practical examples, simple tips and playful activities that get both toddlers and their parents and caregivers moving.

In the opening photo: Tilly de Jong from Glos Educatief (left) with author Cora Merkx (centre) and her daughter, illustrator Nina Merkx (right).

Ordering

The book can be ordered via Toddler Movement or via the webshop of Gezonde Leefstijl Op School, Sport & Movement category, https://www.shopgezondeleefstijlopschool.nl/sport-bewegen/