About
Physical Development
Physical development is one of the prime areas of the EYFS. It includes gross and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills are big movement skills such as walking, jumping and rolling. This involves children being able to negotiate space and obstacles safely, move energetically and demonstrate strength, balance and coordination when they are playing. Gross motor skills provide the foundation for developing healthy bodies and social and emotional well being.
Fine motor skills or minor motor skills are more precise skills that involve control and hand eye coordination. This involves things like being able to show accuracy and care whilst drawing and using tools such as scissors, paintbrushes and cutlery. Developing good fine motor skills from an early age will help children later with their writing.
How can I help my child's Physical Development?
Physical development can be helped by lots of practice and lots of opportunities to get active, both inside and outside. You can help by providing trips to the park, going for walks, playing catch and other movement based activities. All of these will improve spacial awareness, balance, agility, co-ordination, stability and core strength.
To help develop fine motor skills, you can provide activities for your child such as small world play, puzzles, arts and crafts and malleable activities such as play dough or sand. Also teaching them to use cutlery when eating will help. Give lots of positive encouragement and practice and your child will soon develop proficiency, control and confidence in their fine motor skills.
Which packs from Early Years Fun subscription boxes promote physical development?
Do it packs
Move it packs
Design it packs
Make it packs
Although these are the main packs that will always help with Physical Development, fine and gross motor skills are also promoted through most the other packs too!