Gross Motor Skills

During preschool children develop their movement, balancing, riding and ball skills. They learn to go up steps and stairs, or climb up apparatus, using alternate feet. They develop the skills to skip, hop, stand on one leg and hold a pose for a game like musical statues. They use large-muscle movements to wave flags and streamers, paint and make marks as well as start taking part in some group activities which they make up for themselves, or in teams. They become increasingly able to use and remember sequences and patterns of movements which are related to music and rhythm. 

During Terms 1 and 2 we will build on these skills and support the children to:

• Revise and refine the fundamental movement skills they have already acquired: - Rolling - Crawling - Walking - Jumping - Running - Hopping - Skipping – Climbing

• Progress towards a more fluent style of moving, with developing control and grace.

• Confidently and safely use a range of large and small apparatus indoors and outside, alone and in a group.

Fine Motor Sills

During  preschool children learn to use one-handed tools and equipment, for example, making snips in paper with scissors, use a comfortable grip with good control when holding pens and pencils and start to show a preference for a dominant hand. They become increasingly independent as they get dressed and undressed, for example, putting coats on and doing up zips. 

During Terms 1 and 2 we will build on these skills and support the children to:

• Develop their small motor skills so that they can use a range of tools competently, safely and confidently.

• Suggested tools: pencils for drawing and writing, paintbrushes, scissors, knives, forks, spoons.

Physical activity is important in children’s all-round development and to enable them to pursue healthy and active lives. Through opportunities to be active, children develop coordination, control and precision of movement.

Children need to develop strength and the habit of exercise, as well as precision when using small tools correctly. 

Children will participate in PE sessions weekly. We will discuss what contributes to 'good health', with regular exercise being a key factor. Children also have the opportunity to run, skip, climb during child initiated time in the outside area. 

Children will begin to use pens, pencils, crayons, paintbrushes and chalks to develop their fine motor skills. There will be numerous adult led and child initiated activities in place in order to help develop this skills. Children will use playdoh, tweezers, peg boards, tap a shape, shaving foam and gloop etc to help build their hand muscles and their hand/eye coordination.