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Physical Development ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

 

Intent

At Alkerden CE Academy Nursery, we believe that physical development is fundamental to children's health, wellbeing, confidence and future learning. We provide a nurturing, inclusive environment where every child is encouraged to develop their gross and fine motor skills through active play, exploration and purposeful experiences.

We recognise that secure physical development supports children's independence, self-care, communication, early writing and emotional wellbeing. Our curriculum enables children to develop strength, coordination, balance and control whilst fostering resilience, perseverance and a lifelong enjoyment of being physically active.

Through carefully planned indoor and outdoor experiences, children are encouraged to take managed risks, develop healthy lifestyles and build confidence in their own physical abilities. We celebrate each child's unique development and ensure that all children make progress from their individual starting points.

Development Matters (2023) – Children in Nursery (3–4 years) are learning to:

  • Continue to develop their movement, balancing, riding and ball skills.
  • Go up steps and stairs using alternate feet.
  • Skip, hop, stand on one leg and increasingly hold a pose.
  • Use large-muscle movements to wave flags and streamers, paint and make marks.
  • Match their developing physical skills to tasks and activities.
  • Choose the right resources to carry out their own plan.
  • Use one-handed tools and equipment.
  • Use a comfortable grip with increasing control.
  • Show a preference for a dominant hand.
  • Be increasingly independent in meeting their own care needs.

Our curriculum prepares children to achieve the Early Learning Goals and establishes positive attitudes towards health, movement and physical activity.

Implementation

At Alkerden CE Academy Nursery, children develop their physical skills through carefully planned, play-based experiences that promote confidence, coordination, strength and independence. Physical development is embedded throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors, ensuring children have regular opportunities to practise and refine their gross and fine motor skills.

 

Gross Motor Development

Children have daily opportunities to develop their large-muscle movements through:

  • A stimulating indoor and outdoor environment that encourages climbing, balancing, crawling, jumping, running and negotiating obstacles.
  • Forest School, where children develop strength, balance, coordination and resilience by exploring the natural environment, climbing, transporting resources, building, using simple tools safely and taking managed risks.
  • Ball games that develop throwing, catching, kicking and aiming skills.
  • Riding bikes, scooters and wheeled toys to improve balance, coordination and spatial awareness.
  • Music and movement sessions, dance and action songs that encourage rhythm, body awareness and coordination.
  • Cosmic Yoga, supporting children's balance, flexibility, coordination, body control, mindfulness and emotional regulation through imaginative movement.

These experiences support children's physical confidence whilst promoting wellbeing and positive attitudes towards being active.

 

Fine Motor Development

Children strengthen the small muscles needed for handwriting through carefully planned daily experiences including:

  • Dough Disco, developing hand strength, finger isolation, dexterity and bilateral coordination through fun, repetitive movements using dough.
  • Squiggle While You Wiggle, where large body movements are linked to early mark making, helping children develop shoulder stability, core strength and movement patterns required for writing.
  • Write Dance, encouraging children to make large flowing movements to music before transferring these patterns into smaller, more controlled mark making.
  • Threading, weaving and lacing activities.
  • Finger gym challenges using tweezers, pegs, pipettes and tongs.
  • Construction activities using a variety of materials.
  • Cutting, folding and manipulating paper.
  • Painting, drawing and mark making using a wide range of tools and media.
  • Playdough, clay and malleable materials to build hand strength.
  • Opportunities to use one-handed tools safely and with increasing precision.

These experiences ensure children develop the strength, coordination and control required for early writing while recognising that fine motor development is built through purposeful play.

 

Promoting Independence

Children are encouraged to become increasingly independent by:

  • Dressing and undressing for outdoor learning and Forest School.
  • Putting on coats, fastening zips and attempting buttons.
  • Managing toileting routines confidently.
  • Washing and drying hands independently.
  • Pouring drinks and serving snacks safely.
  • Using cutlery with increasing control.
  • Carrying equipment safely and taking responsibility for resources.
  • Making healthy choices and understanding why exercise, rest and healthy food help to keep our bodies strong.

 

Adult Practice

Practitioners consistently:

  • Model movements and physical skills.
  • Demonstrate safe use of equipment and tools.
  • Encourage children to persevere and celebrate effort as well as achievement.
  • Use praise that promotes resilience and confidence.
  • Adapt activities to ensure all children can access the curriculum.
  • Observe children's physical development and plan next steps based on individual needs.
  • Provide repeated opportunities to revisit key physical skills throughout the year.

 

Strategies to Support Physical Development

Practitioners use evidence-informed strategies recommended within Development Matters by:

  • Providing at least 180 minutes of varied physical activity across the day.
  • Planning daily opportunities for energetic active play indoors and outdoors.
  • Developing core strength before expecting children to sit for sustained periods or engage in early writing.
  • Encouraging children to cross the midline through movement activities to support coordination.
  • Offering repeated opportunities to practise balancing, climbing, jumping and ball skills.
  • Building fine motor strength before focusing on pencil control.
  • Modelling correct pencil grip while allowing children to develop at their own pace.
  • Using rich language to describe movement (stretch, twist, balance, rotate, squeeze, grasp, push, pull).
  • Allowing children to take appropriate risks within safe boundaries.
  • Working closely with families to encourage active lifestyles beyond the nursery day.

Impact

Children leave Alkerden CE Academy Nursery as active, confident learners who enjoy being physically active and understand the importance of looking after their bodies.

Children will:

  • Move confidently with increasing coordination and control.
  • Balance, climb, jump, hop and negotiate space safely.
  • Throw, catch and kick with increasing accuracy.
  • Demonstrate improved core strength, stability and coordination.
  • Use tools safely and effectively.
  • Hold pencils and mark-making tools with increasing control.
  • Show developing hand strength and fine motor precision.
  • Manage many personal care routines independently.
  • Demonstrate resilience when learning new physical skills.
  • Make healthy choices about physical activity and self-care.
  • Be physically prepared for the demands of Reception, including early writing.

Impact is evidenced through:

  • Baseline and ongoing observations.
  • Development Matters assessments.
  • Children's Learning Journeys.
  • Photographic evidence of physical challenges and achievements.
  • Increased independence in self-care routines.
  • Improved fine motor control demonstrated through drawing, painting and early writing.
  • High levels of engagement in physical play.
  • Positive parental feedback regarding children's growing confidence and independence.

By the time children leave Nursery, they have developed the physical skills, confidence and resilience needed to thrive in Reception and beyond. They understand that being active, healthy and independent helps them to flourish both physically and emotionally, reflecting our vision that every child is known, valued and encouraged to achieve their God-given potential.

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