Gill Connell

Based in Christchurch, New Zealand, Gill Connell is the founder of MOVING SMART INTERNATIONAL and a globally recognized expert in child development, with a special focus on how movement and play build the foundations for learning.

She is the co-author of the widely acclaimed A Moving Child Is a Learning Child (2013) and curriculum Move Play and Learn With Smart Steps (2016). 

More recently, she launched two popular online teacher training courses, Movement Matters and MoveMore for Learning PMP.

Gill also co-authored the best-selling book Moving to Learn in Australia and New Zealand, New Zealand Swimming’s early childhood teachers’ manual, and Sport NZ Active Movement initiative, among other respected resources.

Through her books, seminars, online training, conference panels, and keynote presentations, Gill brings practical developmental insight to parents, early childhood and primary educators, government agencies, swim teachers, international schools, and organisations including Hasbro, Inc.