Working towards 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.

A guide to children’s Physical development

Motor Skills at 4 months
Gross Motor Skills

  • Hold their head steady
  • Roll tummy to mouth

Fine Motor Skills

  • Hold a toy and shake it
Motor Skills at 6 months
Gross Motor Skills

  • Roll in both directions
  • Begin to sit without support

Fine Motor Skills

  • Transfer items from hand to hand
Motor Skills at 9 months
Gross Motor Skills

  • Stand while supported
  • Pull themselves to stand
  • Begin to crawl
  • Get into a sitting position

Fine Motor Skills

  • Display an inferior pincer grip
Motor Skills at 1 year
Gross Motor Skills

  • Begin to walk unaided

Fine Motor Skills

  • Starts to feed themselves
  • Begin to stack with bricks
Motor Skills at 1 year and 6 months
Gross Motor Skills

  • Walk alone
  • Beginning to start to run
  • Can jump
  • Start to walk up steps

Fine Motor Skills

  • Pull toys when walking
  • Drink from a cup
  • Use a spoon
Motor Skills at 2 years
Gross Motor Skills

  • Stand on their tiptoes
  • Kick a ball
  • Climb on furniture
  • Walk up and downstairs holding on

Fine Motor Skills

  • Follow straight lines or circles
  • Turn several pages on a book
Motor Skills at 3 years
Gross Motor Skills

  • Pedal a tricycle
  • Runs with ease
  • Walks up & downstairs with one foot on each step

Fine Motor Skills

  • Complete puzzles with 4 or more pieces
  • Can build a tower with 6 or more blocks
Motor Skills at 4 years
Gross Motor Skills

  • Hop on one foot
  • Stand on one foot for a few seconds

Fine Motor Skills

  • Can draw simple shapes (such as: squares and triangles)
  • Pours and cuts with precision
Motor Skills at 4 years
Gross Motor Skills

  • Hop on one foot
  • Stand on one foot for a few seconds

Fine Motor Skills

  • Can draw simple shapes (such as: squares and triangles)
  • Pours and cuts with precision
Motor Skills at 5 years
Gross Motor Skills

  • Can consistently hop and skip
  • Stand on one foot for 10 seconds

Fine Motor Skills

  • Dresses and undresses without aid
  • Uses the toilet independently