By Sophie, Kayleigh, Natalie and Lydia. Physical Play. By Sophie, Kayleigh, Natalie and Lydia.

What is Physical play? It is a type of play in which children learn to develop skills. This helps them by being able to: Crawl Step Run Climb Slide Balance Rock Roll Tumble Swing Hop Jump Leap Vault Do handstands Cartwheels Kick Throw Catch Hit

Physical play is also important for developing: Muscle strength Muscle endurance – The ability to repeat actions. Improved coordination, agility, balance and flexibility. Cardio-respiratory endurance – efficiency of the heart, blood vessels and lungs. Growth and fine motor skills – E.g. Hand/eye and eye/foot coordination, spatial awareness. Specific motor skills such as kicking, catching. Teamwork and cooperation.

Children need to develop a variety of developmental and learning strategies. Young children do not develop and learn only through their play, but play is one important way of developing and learning for them. It’s one of the ways children learn about themselves, the people around them, their environment and their community. It's an essential part of every child’s life and important to their development. Through play, children learn to explore the world around them, develop and practice skills they will use throughout their lives. Play is defined as behaviour that is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated.

Physical play activities. Walks Swimming Activity classes – e.g gym, dance, judo, martial arts. Fun in the park Play equipment: Try a bicycle (with stabilisers at first), a scooter, a football, smaller balls, plastic bats, an ordinary skipping rope, a French skipping rope (like a large elastic band), beanbags or a hula hoop. – all these will help develop hand/eye coordination and will help develop gross motor skills.

Play encourages the 4 different stages of play. These are: Parallel play – Playing alongside other children, but still having concentration on themselves. Looking on play – Watching as others play. Joining in play – Playing with others sharing the same activity. Cooperative play – Belonging to a group and sharing the same task.