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Physical development as we know it
Physical development in the early years is often seen as a checklist of targets designed to impress Ofsted. But what really is physical development? Walking, crawling, jumping, kicking a ball, navigating space? Yes — but it’s also so much more!
Physical development should be viewed as a continuous journey without an end point, taking place across various environments with different themes. It can be observed in all spaces, from equipment-rich settings to completely empty rooms. The real challenge lies in enhancing these opportunities and making them engaging and fun.
Physical activity: What is it and how can we improve it?
Physical activity, much like physical development, is often associated with typical nursery activities. However, physical activity tends to be more structured or intentional. It might involve gathering around a speaker for a group disco or heading outside for a game of football. As the name suggests, physical activity is expected to be more ‘physical’ and meet the guideline of 180 minutes of movement per day. But how can we really maximize physical activity? Should we plan more structured activities to hit those targets, or should we adapt our environments to better meet children’s physical needs? The answer is both. However, the emphasis must remain on empowering practitioners to deliver these sessions effectively and confidently.
Physical education in the early years
PE — two letters that can strike fear into the hearts of many, conjuring memories of cold mornings, uncomfortable kit, and endless laps of the school field. Historically, physical education has been seen as elitist and competitive, catering only to the fittest and strongest pupils. However, this outdated perception is changing, with schools adopting a more holistic approach to meet the needs of every child.
Despite these positive changes, physical education in the early years is still often overlooked — a catastrophic mistake in my opinion. In early years, we scaffold children’s learning to give them the best possible start in life, so why not apply this same principle to physical education? Many children have limited exposure to sporting opportunities at home, and if they do, it’s often through parental influence rather than personal choice.
As practitioners, we have a unique opportunity to expose children to different sports and physical activities, enriching their learning while meeting physical activity guidelines and physical development requirements. While many settings rely on external companies to deliver these sessions, this approach is only truly effective when providers understand the early years sector. Companies like Early Years PE, founded on 8 years of experience working within the sector, can bridge this gap — but equally, nursery staff with a passion for sport or physical activity can deliver engaging PE sessions with the right training and support.
What is physical literacy and how does it scaffold everything?
The final piece of the physical puzzle is physical literacy — a term that remains unfamiliar to many. Physical literacy sits at the top of the umbrella, encompassing all aspects of physical development. In 2023, Sport England, alongside over 50 experts, defined physical literacy as “our relationship with movement and physical activity throughout life.”
This definition speaks volumes. Every child’s journey in nursery should be the best it can be — and their physical journey is no exception. Negative early experiences of physical activity can have a long-lasting impact, creating a reluctance to engage in movement later in life. But if we flip that narrative, ensuring that every physical experience is fun, enriching, and confidence-boosting, imagine the lifelong positive impact we could create.
By prioritizing physical literacy from the earliest years, we can lay the foundations for a future where children not only meet physical development targets but develop a lifelong love of movement. The question is — what kind of physical journey will you help shape for the children in your care?
Key takeaways
- Holistic development: Physical development, activity, education, and literacy are all integral to a child’s overall growth.
- Continuous journey: Physical development is an ongoing process that occurs in various environments and should be engaging and fun.
- Structured and intentional activity: Physical activity should be both structured and adaptable to meet children’s physical needs, aiming for 180 minutes of movement per day.
- Inclusive physical education: Modern physical education should be inclusive, catering to all children and not just the fittest.
- Early exposure: Early exposure to different sports and physical activities is crucial, especially for children with limited opportunities at home.
- Physical literacy: Physical literacy encompasses all aspects of physical development and is essential for fostering a lifelong love of movement.
Critical considerations
- Empowering practitioners: Ensure that practitioners are confident and well-trained to deliver effective physical activity and education sessions.
- Adapting environments: Create environments that naturally encourage physical activity and meet children’s physical needs.
- Holistic approach: Adopt a holistic approach to physical education that focuses on the needs of every child, not just the most athletic.
- Question your assumptions in terms of managed risk
Explainer
Physical literacy: As defined by Sport England – “Physical literacy is our relationship with movement and physical activity throughout life.”
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