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Physical Development |
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Young children grow very rapidly and they need to be active in order to develop confidence and control of the way they move and the way they handle tools and equipment. The physical area of learning helps children to develop these abilities and feel the positive effects of being active and healthy. |
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What does it mean? |
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Moving in different ways e.g. running, jumping, skipping. | |
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Experimenting with movements. | |
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Moving with increasing control and co-ordination. | |
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Learning to climb.
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What does it mean? |
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Responding to sound with body movements. | |
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Moving safely. | |
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Using space effectively. | |
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Becoming aware that physical activity affects their body.
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What does it mean? |
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Using tools effectively e.g. scissors, pencil ,computer mouse. | |
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Understanding that tools have to be used safely. | |
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Learning to balance on various parts of their body. |
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What does it mean? |
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Co-operating as part of a team. | |
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Using small equipment with control e.g. bats and balls. | |
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Showing a preference for the left or right hand. |
How do we achieve this in the nursery? The staff recognise that the children need to practise and refine their physical skills at the same time as developing new ones. The staff provide a wide range of resources that offer the best opportunities for effective physical development. Staff are aware that all the areas of learning take place outside as well as inside and they encourage all the children to spend at least some of the session in the outside area. Here are just some of the ways Staff ensure that the outside area is safe and secure at all times. The staff set out large climbing apparatus that is designed to stimulate and challenge the children. The staff ensure that wheeled toys are available every day, e.g. bikes, scooters, sharing trucks. This gives the children the opportunity to practice and build on the skills they have already developed. A wide range of malleable materials are provided, e.g. dough, clay, cornflour. The use of these materials helps the children to develop the strong finger and hand muscles they need to gain control when they are holding a pencil, writing and drawing. The children are given ample space to run freely in the garden.
Some More Ways The staff give the children opportunity to create their own movements. The children are given the opportunity to do woodwork. This is done with adult supervision. Some More Ways Ribbon dancing and scarf dancing are frequently offered to the children. The children march with the musical instruments. The staff provide a wide range of tools for the children to use, e.g. scissors, pencils, trowels, glue spreaders. Activities designed to encourage hand/eye co-ordination are made available to the children e.g. puzzles, threading, sewing. Staff encourage the children to observe the effects of activity on their bodies.
