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Physical development
Last updated: 14 September 2009
Physical development in the EYFS is about improving the skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement. It involves outdoor play as well as activities that develop children's finer psychomotor skills.
Physical activity also promotes health and well-being and children's emotional and social well-being is in turn promoted by physical activity.
Water play and other exploratory play can help newly arrived children settle. By releasing tension and having fun and enjoyment, children can often cope better and show resilience. Play and sports activities also help children develop their language and social skills such as independence and self-confidence.
Some groups of newly arrived children might have missed out on previous opportunities for outdoor play and recreation that supports physical development, for example:
- children may not have had access to scooters, bikes and pedal cars in their home country
- asylum-seeking children who have had a long and difficult journey to the UK may have missed out on opportunities for outdoor play and recreation, as well as activities such as painting that develop children's finer psycho-motor skills
- children living in asylum hostels or flats may have fewer opportunities for outdoor play and physical activity
- newly arrived families may be unaware of the provision or location of parks and playgrounds
- access to leisure opportunities such as swimming, as well as items such as bikes, may also be restricted for families on a low income.
Children who have had fewer opportunities for activities that promote physical development may be less confident in using equipment.
Teaching and learning suggestions
- Where appropriate, give newly arrived children more time and space to use equipment. Children who have missed out on opportunities for play may want to play with toys and use equipment that is normally used for younger children. This is quite normal.
- Consider using additional adult help to support children new to particular activities and equipment.
- Consider keeping spare clothes such as warm coats, trousers and sweatshirts that are suitable for outdoor play, as children from families on low incomes may not always come equipped for outdoor activities.
- Activities that support physical development should also encourage language development. Early years practitioners can extend children's language skills, providing them with words for body parts, movements and equipment.
- A number of early years settings working with newly arrived children have used Sure Start monies to fund welcome packs of crayons, paints and pencils. These have been given to families to encourage physical development.
- Early years workers might consider informing parents of local facilities for outdoor play and recreation. These would include playgrounds, parks, free soft play and other activities, as well as holiday play schemes. Many local authorities run free activities during school holidays.