Physifun promotes movement & exercise within schools in order to improve better functioning of children (learning, concentration and physical skills)
Physifun is a company that aims to provide all children with opportunities to improve their movement, posture and learning ability. This is done through the education of parents, teachers, coaches and health professionals that surround them about tips and strategies that they can use in the classroom, on the sports field, in the playground and at home to help children improve their core stability, postural control, gross motor and fine motor skills and their behaviour (associated with sensory difficulties) along with the implementation of group based exercise programmes.
Physifun was developed by a physiotherapist who has a masters in Sports Physiotherapy and a passion for posture! The gross motor skills and core stability programmes (called Physiball and ABC) that have been developed by Physifun are based on research that shows that this type of intervention can improve the outcomes of children with specific academic learning and motor learning difficulties. The gym ball Pilates exercises help to improve postural awareness and core stability and the yoga and relaxation element to the exercises provide opportunities for the children to practice mindful awareness.
Physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists, can become Physifun service providers which will enable them to offer this cost-effective and affordable-for-parents intervention in their businesses and practices. These medical professionals will be trained and given the tools to then become educators/speakers of the Physifun inservice training sessions, parent information lectures and the assembly presentations for children. They will also be equipped and licensed to provide training to teachers and coaches for the Physiball and ABC exercise programmes for teachers and coaches and to mentor the schools and franchises where the exercise programmes are being run.
Therapists can gain CPD points by attending the training that Physifun offers and it can also become a source of additional income for private practices.
PhysiFun is passionate about giving everyone access to a physical and healthy lifestyle, via the participation in fun exercise classes aimed at improving posture, core stability, balance, coordination and flexibility. Physifun offers training for parents and school teachers as well as exercise classes for children and teenagers
PP1 - One hour inservice training session entitled "The road to reading, writing and moving for a child with learning, movement and behavioural difficulties- therapeutic tips and strategies for the classroom."
A theoretical, evidence-based course for teachers which covers the theory of postural control & development and the effects that this has on physical performance, reading, writing and behaviour in the classroom and on the sports field.
PP2 - Half and hour pupil demonstration and lecture entitled "Healthy bodies"
A school education programme for ages 4 to 11 aimed at educating children about adopting a healthy approach to looking after their backs and their bodies and making healthy choices about how they choose to spend their free time and what they choose to eat.
PP3 - One hour parent evening lecture entitled "Help your child to learn to read, write and be active-tips and strategies for at home."
A theoretical, evidence-based lecture for parents which reveals the most effective ways of ensuring an optimal environment for a child's learning, behaviour & health.
PP4 - PhysiBall Gross Motor Programme & ABC Programme
Gross Motor Exercise Programmes using Pilates (core and postural exercises), Yoga, balance and coordination exercises, sensory feedback and relaxation with mindful awareness on the Gym Ball for children aimed at improving the attention, balance, coordination, core stability & physical fitness of those children who need to work on these areas of development.
PP5- Neuromyths in the educational setting.
A one hour inservice training session for teachers, covering topics such as Multiple Intelligences, accelerated learning programmes, Brain Gym, effects of fish oils, water and sugar, causes and management of dyslexia.
PP5 - PhysiBall & ABC Health Professional Training Weekend
A weekend CPD course aimed at training professionals allied to medicine (PAMS), the theory behind the PhysiBall & ABC Programmes and giving them the skills to coordinate, implement and lead the programme in their practices. PAMS will walk away with the tools and training needed in order to become speakers/educators of the Pysifun inservice training sessions, parent information lectures and assembly presentations for children. Therapists can then opt to become Physifun service providers which will enable them to provide training and licences to teachers and coaches for the Physiball and ABC exercise programmes.
PP6 - Physiball and ABC Teachers and Coaches Level 1 and Level 2 training course.
A one day course aimed at training teachers and coaches to coordinate, implement and lead the Physiball (Level 1) programme and the ABC (Level 2) programme in their businesses and schools. A medical professional will be allocated to you to mentor you and provide quality control visits.
PP7- A half day workshop for sports coaches: " The road to becoming a sportsman/woman for a child with learning, behavioural and movement difficulties and/or a child with joint hypermobility."
A practical workshop for sports coaches giving strategies to help a child with difficulties learn the fundamentals of various sports and tips of managing the behaviours of children who have ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Processing difficulties. Coaches will also learn about children who have joint hypermobility and how best to manage them to avoid injury later on.
PP8-The road to learning-for a child with developmental and learning difficulties.
A half day workshop for facilitators and parents of children with difficulties which aims to educate and equip tutors, facilitators and parents to be able to provide affordable and easy-to-implement strategies to address the behavioural, physical and sensory needs of children with developmental difficulties in the classroom and at home.
