Physical Development
Physical Development should be regarded as one of the building blocks of success in life – it is essential in enabling children to live a happy, healthy and active life, and is a fundamental part of their cognitive development. A robust Physical Development offer supports children’s development by enabling them to increase their core strength, stability, balance, spatial awareness, co-ordination and agility. Gross motor skills provide the foundation for developing healthy bodies and social and emotional well-being. Fine motor control and precision helps with hand-eye co-ordination.
In the revised EYFS Framework, Physical Development is broken down into two Early Learning Goals:
- Gross motor skills
Children at the expected level of development will:
- Negotiate space and obstacles effectively with spatial awareness and awareness of others
- Demonstrate strength, balance and co-ordination
- Move energetically eg. running, jumping, dancing, hopping, skipping and climbing
- Fine motor skills
Children at the expected level of development will:
- Hold a pencil effectively using the tripod grip in preparation for fluent writing
- Use a range of small tools including scissors, paint brushes and cutlery
- Begin to show accuracy and care when drawing
