Physical Development
Intent
Knowledge and Key Skills Progression Grids
PRIME AREA – PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT – Progression of Key Skills and Knowledge – Updated January 2024
Implementation
Gross Motor Skills:
Gross motor skills provide the foundation for developing healthy bodies and social and emotional well-being. Children in Nursery and Reception have a weekly timetabled slot for Physical Education, which takes place in the main school hall or outside. These sessions follow either ‘PE Through Story’ or Durham County Council’s Core Tasks, which focus on children developing their core strength, stability, balance, spatial awareness, co-ordination and agility. Staff also create games and provide opportunities for play in both indoor and outdoor classroom environments, using a wealth of physical equipment.
Fine Motor Skills:
Fine motor control and precision helps with hand-eye co-ordination, which is later linked to early literacy. The classroom environments offer repeated, rich and varied opportunities for children to explore and play with small world activities, puzzles, arts and crafts as well as practicing the use of small tools. Adult play a key role in providing children with feedback and support, to ensure children develop proficiency, control and confidence.
Impact
By the end of Early Years Foundation Stage, most children:
Gross Motor Skills:
- Negotiate space and obstacles safely, with consideration for themselves and others.
- Demonstrate strength, balance and coordination when playing.
- Move energetically, such as running, jumping, dancing, hopping, skipping and climbing.
Fine Motor Skills:
- Hold a pencil effectively in preparation for fluent writing – using the tripod grip in almost all cases.
- Use a range of small tools, including scissors, paint brushes and cutlery.
- Begin to show accuracy and care when drawing.
