Episode 06: Let’s Talk… From movement to words

In episode 6, we’re delighted to be joined by Helen Battelley — an internationally respected consultant, trainer, lecturer and author specialising in physical development in early childhood education.

Helen is also chair of NEYASP (National Early Years Active Start Partnership), bringing together leading voices in early childhood development to promote movement and active play for under-5s.

In this fascinating conversation, we explore:

· 🧠 The neuroscience behind movement and language

· 🔄 The relationship between primitive reflexes and communication

· 👶 The potential impact of retained reflexes on children’s development

· 💡 Practical changes practitioners can make to better support communication and language development in their settings

✨ Whether you’re looking to understand more about the powerful connection between movement and communication, consider the role of primitive reflexes in children’s development, or find practical ways to support communication and language through movement play, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

👂 If you're a Norfolk early years practitioner or professional, and you enjoyed this conversation, we’d love for you to join us at one of our Autumn Term Communication Hub Meetings, beginning on 23rd November 2026, where Helen Battelley will be joining us for part 2! 👉Click here for more details.

Overview

(0:00) Introduction

(1:09) Helen’s professional background

(2:37) The inspiration behind Helen’s work

(4:01) The relationship between communication and movement

(5:18) Responding to babies' movement cues through serve and return

(7:10) Limiting restrictive devices for infants

(8:00) The neuroscience behind movement and communication

(10:50) The brains ability to prioritise information

(13:03) Cementing physical skills to support communication and language

(14:19) Using our verbal communication purposefully

(16:14) The neuroscience behind movement and communication

(17:30) Terminology around physical activity and physical development

(19:37) Birth to Five Matters – 2nd Version

(20:06) Movement to music

(21:39) “Syllabology”

(22:46) Rhythmic entrainment

(26.18) Nursery rhymes and ethnography

(28.20) Primitive reflexes

(29.33) Retained reflexes and their impact on communication

(30:27) The Moro reflex

(31:30) The sucking and the rooting reflexes

(33:21) The importance of observation over diagnosis

(34:30) Finding support for children with retained reflexes

(35:13) Age ranges that are often affected by retained reflexes

(36:14) Supporting healthy reflex integration

(37:05) The impact of modern society on retained reflexes

(38:41) Supporting children with speech, language and communication needs

(40:07) Creating a movement-rich environment

(43.24) Practical takeaway 1: Three small changes practitioners could make to better support communication through movement

(44:47) Practical takeaway 2: One piece of advice that you wish every parent and practitioner knew about children’s communication

(45:51) Practical takeaway 3: What excites you most about this field heading into the next few years?

(46:41) Autumn Term Communication Hubs – Helen's back!

(48:10) Questions for practitioners

1. If I was to come and visit your setting, what would I say about your space?

2. How do you support your childrens sensory system development, in terms of their vestibular, interoceptive and proprioceptive senses?

3. Are you prepared, as an early year's educator, to swap screen time for green time?

(49:32) The Summer 2026 Norfolk Communication Hubs – Sign up now!