Foundation Stage
Physical Development
Requirements
The physical development of babies and young children must be encouraged through the provision of opportunities for them to be active and interactive and to improve their skills of co-ordination, control, manipulation and movement. They must be supported in using all of their senses to learn about the world around them and to make connections between new information and what they already know. They must be supported in developing an understanding of the importance of physical activity and making healthy choices in relation to food.
Aspects of Physical Development
Physical Development is made up of the following aspects:
Movement and Space - is about how children learn to move with confidence, imagination and safety, with an awareness of space, themselves and others.
Health and Bodily Awareness - is about how children learn the importance of keeping healthy and the factors that contribute to maintaining their health.
Using Equipment and Materials - is about the ways in which children use a range of small and large equipment.
What Physical Development means for children
Babies and children learn by being active and Physical Development takes place across all areas of Learning and Development. Physical Development helps children gain confidence in what they can do. Physical Development enables children to feel the positive benefits of being healthy and active. Physical Development helps children to develop a positive sense of well-being.
Good health in the early years helps to safeguard health and well-being throughout life. It is important that children develop healthy habits when they first learn about food and activity. Growing with appropriate weight gain in the first years of life helps to guard against obesity in later life.
How settings can effectively implement this area of Learning and Development
To give all children the best opportunities for effective development and learning in Physical Development practitioners should give particular attention to the following areas.
Positive Relationships
Build children’s confidence to take manageable risks in their play. Motivate children to be active and help them develop movement skills through praise, encouragement, games and appropriate guidance. Notice and value children’s natural and spontaneous movements, through which they are finding out about their bodies and exploring sensations such as balance. Provide time to support children’s understanding of how exercise, eating, sleeping and hygiene promote good health.
Enabling Environments
Provide equipment and resources that are sufficient, challenging and interesting and that can be used in a variety of ways, or to support specific skills. Allow sufficient space, indoors and outdoors, to set up relevant activities for energetic play.
Provide time and opportunities for children with physical disabilities or motor impairments to develop their physical skills, working in partnership with relevant specialists such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Use additional adult help, as necessary, to support individuals and to encourage increased independence in physical activities.
Learning and Development
Plan activities that offer physical challenges and plenty of opportunities for physical activity. Give sufficient time for children to use a range of equipment to persist in activities, practising new and existing skills and learning from their mistakes.
Introduce appropriate vocabulary to children alongside their actions. Treat mealtimes as an opportunity to promote children’s social development, while enjoying food and highlighting the importance of making healthy choices.