Let’s get physical Monday 30th January 2017

What do we mean by Physical Development Gross motor skills involve using the body’s big muscles and in making whole body movements. It is about understanding the space around you and being able to judge speed, direction and distances. Fine motor skills involve using the body’s small muscle groups including fingers and hands, toes and feet. These movements usually develop after a child has developed their gross motor skills.

Why is it important? It helps to build self-confidence and leads to your child becoming more independent Movement often requires them to play or interactive with friends by joining in games which helps your child to develop social skills and builds a sense of identity Makes a difference to your child’s emotional development and well-being With gross motor skills come co-ordination, stamina and spatial awareness Fine motor skills link with hand-eye co-ordination and dexterity and are important for many areas It is the foundation of becoming a confident learner. Movement is fundamental to all aspects of learning

When do children develop physical skills When do children develop physical skills? Nursery age children should be able to…. Gross motor skills Crawl along a line Walk forwards, backwards, sideways and for extended distances Run without falling for at least 10 metres Jump on the spot Walk heel/toe along a line Balance along a bench/plank/beam that’s off the floor Able to out arms above their head Able to cross arms across their body with hand to opposite shoulder Able to stand on 1 leg for 5 seconds Develops independence in dressing themselves

When do children develop physical skills When do children develop physical skills? Nursery age children should be able to…. Fine motor skills for a 3 year old Builds a tower with at least 9 blocks Catches a ball with extended arms Demonstrates preferred hand in manipulation Strings large beads Manages simple board/inset puzzles Holds pencil in a basic tripod grip Copies a vertical line, circle and horizontal line Imitates a cross Scribbles

When do children develop physical skills When do children develop physical skills? Nursery age children should be able to…. Fine motor skills for a 4 year old Becomes more confident with preferred hand Stacks at least 10 blocks Strings small beads and laces simple shapes Places pegs in holes on boards Completes simple puzzles of 3 to 5 pieces Cuts on lines, straight and curved Catches a ball with arms slightly flexed Pencil grip becomes more efficient Copies a cross and imitates a square Colours pictures but has difficulty staying in the lines May be able to write their own name

How can we support children’s physical development? Gross motor Walk to school Stories and songs that involve big body movements EG Grand Old Duke of York, Row your boat Using games equipment including skipping ropes, Frisbees, balls, tennis rackets, swing ball, space hoppers Tennis racket bubbles Ball skills to develop throwing and catching. Start with scarves or balloons Jedi or wand writing Digging and sweeping Marching games that require stops and starts on command Stamping on bubble wrap, walking on a tight-rope (imaginary line) Riding tricycles, scooters, pedal cars, Movement and dance sessions - Just dance Any physical activity including swimming, martial arts, ballet, gymnastics Large play equipment including for climbing (park, trees) running and balancing Painting (paints/glittery water) colouring, drawing on paper on the floor, walls (high and low), tables

How can you support children’s physical development? Fine motor Get dressed and undressed by themselves Playdough, clay – rolling, twisting, pinching, squeezing Cooking – mixing, stirring, chopping, kneading Puzzles board and traditional Threading – beads and strings, lace lacing toys Sensory play – drawing shapes with fingers/hands in sand, shaving foam Using small construction – Duplo, Lego, Use scissors – snip playdough, snip the edge of a piece of paper to make a fringe Finger rhymes – 2 Little Dickie Birds, Twinkle little star Squeezing/popping rice krispies or popping bubble wrap Clothes pegs around a bowl or on a line Picking up objects with tongs and tweezers Dot to dots, mazes, colouring sheets using different crayons etc thin and chubby Screw toys EG large nuts and bolts, screw top jars

Useful websites Let’s get active! http://www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/Pages/be-more-active.aspx http://www.learning4kids.net/range-of-play-dough-recipes/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/article-your-pre-school-child http://www.nhs.uk/change4life/Pages/local-change-for-life-activities.aspx https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=disney+just+dance+kids Let’s get active!