Physical Development
Physical Development
The physical domain is about moving and controlling muscles. It has 2 parts; moving main or big muscles and moving smaller muscles. The smaller muscle movement is called fine motor and large muscle movement is called gross motor. |
Physical Development Support
Important Skills for School Readiness
- Identify basic parts of the body, how the body moves, and the effect of physical activity on the body
- Exhibit healthy habits – being physically active and eating nutritiously, etc.
- Make good choices
- Demonstrate the ability to prevent injury and play safely
- Have good muscle control (run, jump, balance, catch etc.)
- Show fundamental movement skills – balance, control, coordination etc.
- Display hand and eye coordination and object control
- Practice self-help skills – good hygiene, grooming, social skills etc.
Physical Development Activities
- Pick a Pom-Pom – an activity for 3-4 year olds used to improve a child’s hand-eye coordination and strengthen hand muscles, using a plastic bowl, ice cube tray, pom-poms, plastic tongs, and clothespins.
- Jump Rope Games an activity for 3-4 year olds used to strengthen a child’s muscles, improve balance and coordination using a jump rope.
- Wash Our Hands – an activity for 3-4 year olds used to help a child learn about basic hygiene and teach them to wash their hands using a tub, water, the book “Wash Your Hands” by Tony Ross, and liquid soap.
- Bean Bag Toss – an activity for 3-4 year olds used to improve a child’s hand-eye coordination, balance, and muscle coordination using bean bags.
- Hokey Pokey an activity for 0-2 year olds used to increase a child’s flexibility and strength. No materials needed
Support Ideas
- Offer healthy foods
- Teach self-help skills
- Set basic health and safety rules and help your child to follow them
- Do activities that build muscles – Small (draw, cut paper, use Legos or Play-Doh) and large (run, walk, swim, climb, or ride bikes)
- Build hand and eye coordination – play catch, jump rope, or trace letters etc.
- Encourage writing and use of writing tools
- Promote fundamental movement – do yoga, play kickball, or hopscotch etc.