Understanding Development

Physical Development

Why is physical development important?

A child’s physical development is divided into two categories, fine motor skills and gross motor skills, both are important for the development of a child’s ability to move and interact with objects.

For a child good physical development benefits include:

Building healthy muscles and bones, improving both fine and gross motor skills
Aid in balance and co-ordination
Improvement in sleep quality
Encourages healthy habits in young children, exercise, sport, dance, play
Improves mental well-being and self confidence
Involves the growth and change in a person’s body and bodily functions

Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills involve small muscles working with the brain and nervous system to control movements in areas such as the hands, fingers, lips, tongue and eyes.

Developing fine motor skills helps children do things like eating, writing, manipulating objects and getting dressed.

Research shows that the development of fine motor skills depends on the development of gross motor skills and that a joined-up approach to physical development is important.

Gross Motor Skills

Gross motor skills are the skills that children develop using their whole body. By using their whole bodies children become increasingly confident, agile and flexible.

Gross motor exercises increase children’s development of muscular strength, ability to take well intentioned, safe risks and become increasingly well-coordinated.

Gross motor skills affect wellbeing and give children opportunities to socialise in play. Confidence and coordination in gross motor skills are essential for children in developing their fine motor skills.

At Blue Sky we aid our children’s physical development through engaging physical activities that are a balanced mix of fine and gross motor skill based.
On a daily basis children are encouraged through free play, that allows them to decide on the activity they want to do. All the activities are chosen with care and thought on how they will assist the most children.
Rooms are equipped with finger gym tuft trays to play with, this allows them to improve their fine motor skills, and will be tailored to the topic of the term or the current book or interest of the children.

For some children, development will come in smaller steps and take longer to achieve. We are patient, giving them time, space, opportunities and encouraging words.
We advocate for both staff and parents to speak to our SEN coordinator if they have concerns regarding a child’s development.