Physical development and writing at Lovington C of E Primary School

Physical Development 2 strands Moving and handling Health and self-care

Moving and handling 30-50 mths Moves freely and with pleasure and confidence in a range of ways, such as slithering, shuffling, rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping, skipping, sliding and hopping. Mounts stairs, steps or climbing equipment using alternate feet. Walks downstairs, two feet to each step while carrying a small object. Runs skilfully and negotiates space successfully, adjusting speed or direction to avoid obstacles. Can stand momentarily on one foot when shown. Can catch a large ball. Draws lines and circles using gross motor movements. Uses one-handed tools and equipment, e.g. makes snips in paper with child scissors. Holds pencil between thumb and two fingers, no longer using whole-hand grasp. Holds pencil near point between first two fingers and thumb and uses it with good control. Can copy some letters, e.g. letters from their name.

Moving and handling 40-60 mths • Experiments with different ways of moving. • Jumps off an object and lands appropriately. • Negotiates space successfully when playing racing and chasing games with other children, adjusting speed or changing direction to avoid obstacles. • Travels with confidence and skill around, under, over and through balancing and climbing equipment. • Shows increasing control over an object in pushing, patting, throwing, catching or kicking it. • Uses simple tools to effect changes to materials. • Handles tools, objects, construction and malleable materials safely and with increasing control. • Shows a preference for a dominant hand. • Begins to use anticlockwise movement and retrace vertical lines. • Begins to form recognisable letters. • Uses a pencil and holds it effectively to form recognisable letters, most of which are correctly formed.

Physical development Early Learning Goal Children show good control and co-ordination in large and small movements. They move confidently in a range of ways, safely negotiating space. They handle equipment and tools effectively, including pencils for writing.

Upper body Shoulder pivot- wash walls/windows, mops, brushes, swing ball, big digging, upside-down mark making, large scale mark-making, balance-scooters, climbing, trim trail etc Elbow pivot- climbing, pulling body weight, twirling, throwing and catching, sawing, sand patterns, plungers Wrist pivot- threading, sewing, popping, fishing games, dabbing

This relies on fine motor strength. Grip Muscles and balance support all the pivots to work down to final pivot of fingers and knuckles. This relies on fine motor strength.

Fine motor development All these skills need to be in place: Pincer grasp/grip Palm arches In-hand manipulation Thumb opposition Finger isolation Bi-lateral coordination Crossing the midline Hand-eye coordination Knuckle, PIP and DIP joints Thumb opposition- thumb touch each finger in turn. Bi-lateral coord- sometimes both sides of body doing same thing, sometimes alternating eg walk and swing arms; most complex=when hands doing 2 diff things ie hold paper and use scissors. Cross midline- upper body gross motor eg cross arms and legs to other side of body- early stages =chn draw line across page and use 1 hand then the other ;used when read-tracking print, putting socks on!

Dough gym – ‘malleable materials’ balance, gross motor upper body , gross motor mid body and fine motor Air writing- gross motor, talk, shapes Funky fingers- hands, fingers,grip

Dynamic tripod- triangulation grip

Emergent writing Modelling real purposes Real purposes for children Language rich environment Good posture Knowledge of print concepts Knowledge of phonics

What can you do? Ask children to read their writing to you Scribe their description of the picture eg a horse Accept all efforts and don’t get hung up on spelling! Later on use our strategy- Think it, say it…etc

Make your own playdough 200g pl flour 100g salt 2 tsps. cream of tartar 1 tbsp. veg oil 300ml water Food colouring (add to water) Mix all dry ingredients together, add water and mix to lumpy consistency. Microwave, uncovered, for 1 min on full power. Stir. Repeat for 1 min intervals (approx. 3 mins) until sticky but dry to touch. Cool slightly. Knead well. Keep covered.