This guide will help you answer 3.2 Create an environment which promotes physical development in own setting.
Creating an environment that promotes physical development is essential for the growth and wellbeing of every child in an early years setting. This involves thoughtful planning and organisation, ensuring that both indoor and outdoor spaces are optimised for physical activities. Let’s delve into how you can effectively achieve this within your own setting.
Understanding Physical Development
Physical development is about more than just movement. It includes improving coordination, control, and manipulation of muscles. This development is critical during early childhood as it forms the foundation for future health and active lifestyles.
Key areas of physical development include:
- Gross Motor Skills: Activities involving large muscles, like crawling, walking, jumping.
- Fine Motor Skills: Activities involving smaller muscles, like drawing, cutting, and manipulating small objects.
Layout and Design of the Space
Indoor Environment
- Open Spaces for Movement: Ensure there are wide, uncluttered areas where children can move freely. This supports activities like dancing, rolling, and stretching.
- Zoning: Designate specific areas for different types of physical activities. For instance, areas for quiet play (like puzzles) should be distinct from areas where children can engage in more active play.
- Child-Size Furniture: Use tables, chairs, and shelves that are easily accessible to children. This encourages independence and allows children to engage in activities without needing constant adult assistance.
- Soft Play Areas: Incorporate mats, cushions, and other soft play equipment. These are excellent for safe tumbling and rolling and help build confidence in physical movements.
Outdoor Environment
- Safe and Stimulating Playgrounds: Ensure outdoor play areas are safe and well-maintained. Surfaces should be even, and equipment should adhere to safety standards.
- Variety of Equipment: Provide climbing frames, slides, balance beams, and tricycles. These encourage a range of movements, from climbing and balancing to riding and running.
- Natural Elements: Incorporate sandpits, mud kitchens, and water play. Natural materials like wood and sand help children to develop sensory and fine motor skills.
- Gardening Areas: Create small garden patches where children can dig, plant, and water. These activities promote both gross and fine motor skills.
Encouraging Active Play
Structured Activities
Plan structured physical activities that are tailored to the children’s developmental stages. Examples include:
- Obstacle Courses: Set up simple obstacle courses indoors or outdoors. These can include crawling under tables, hopping on one foot, and navigating around cones.
- Jumping Games: Use hoops or marked areas to encourage jumping games. This can also include hopscotch variations which are great for coordination.
- Dance and Movement: Incorporate music and dance sessions. Use songs with actions to guide the children’s movements.
Unstructured Play
Allow ample time for unstructured play. This is when children engage in physical activity driven by their interests and imagination. Examples include:
- Chasing Games: Simple games of tag or races encourage running and agility.
- Role Play: Provide costumes and props that encourage physical acting out, like pretend flying or pretending to be animals.
- Exploration: Encourage children to explore their environment. This can be as simple as moving different ways across the playground or attempting to navigate varied terrains.
Integrating Physical Development into the Curriculum
Cross-Curricular Links
Physical development can be woven into different areas of the curriculum:
- Literacy: Use storytelling sessions that involve actions. For example, mimicking the movements of animals in a story.
- Maths: Use physical activities to teach concepts. For instance, counting steps taken while jumping or balancing.
- Science: Conduct experiments and activities that involve physical effort, like building simple machines or conducting water play.
Regular Monitoring and Assessment
Keep track of each child’s progress in physical development. This will help you tailor activities to their individual needs:
- Observation: Regularly observe children during play to identify their strengths and areas needing improvement.
- Documentation: Maintain records of physical activities and note any significant achievements or milestones.
Safety Considerations
Creating an environment that promotes physical development must also prioritise safety:
- Regular Inspections: Conduct daily checks of equipment and play areas to ensure they are safe.
- Supervision: Always supervise children, ensuring they use equipment correctly and safely.
- First Aid: All staff should be trained in basic first aid, ready to respond to any accidents.
Involving Parents and Carers
Engage parents and carers in promoting physical development:
- Communication: Share insights about the importance of physical development and suggest activities they can do at home.
- Workshops: Host workshops or information sessions to give parents ideas for physical play.
- Documentation: Share progress reports and offer suggestions based on what you have observed in the setting.
Conclusion
Creating an environment that promotes physical development involves thoughtful design, a variety of structured and unstructured activities, safety considerations, and engaging parents. By providing both stimulating indoor and outdoor environments, you foster essential skills that will benefit children throughout their lives. Remember, the goal is to create spaces where children feel encouraged to move, explore, and enjoy physical activity as a fundamental part of their daily lives.
