Liverpool City Region and beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub
Reddish Vale Nursery School Blog
Becoming physical development champions and beyond….
This blog explores the importance of evaluating the opportunities available to promote physical development in the early years, with a particular focus on promotion children’s independence, risk taking and following their lead.
Our pedagogy
Opportunities for outdoor play are vital in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Reddish Vale Nursery places equal value on outdoor and indoor play, and the well-resourced outdoor area is an important part of the continuous provision. As a team we work on the premise that regular activity is vital for strengthening neural networks, where regular, intense exercise results in the growth of neurons to aid memory and learning. Opportunities in the outdoor area are designed to improve concentration, hand eye coordination, confidence and decision making.
The evidence
RISE at Manchester Metropolitan University outlines the importance of physical development where ‘Physical development lays the foundation for learning, health and wellbeing. The more physically active we are as young children, the more likely we are to maintain an active lifestyle later in life. This sets a positive health trajectory, promoting long-term physical well-being and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Encouraging early physical activity is crucial for establishing healthy habits and also impacts greatly on early literacy and the social, emotional, and cognitive development of children.’ Rise x Future Me at Manchester Met (mmu.ac.uk)
Children who are given the opportunity to play outdoors are shown to have better planning, attention and inhibition where regular activity reduces stress, and increases self-regulation. Children learn how to control their bodies, develop physical competence and an enjoyment of outdoors and to practice problem solving.
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) on the Early Years Evidence Store key findings in ‘promoting physical activity’ outlines the following:
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There is evidence that promoting physical activity improves children’s physical development outcomes including a range of movement skills.
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Encouraging enjoyment through play and a focus on child-directed choice are effective strategies to further support children’s physical development.
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Motivating children to be physically active through the use of resources or equipment, both outdoors and indoors, can support children’s physical development.
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Educators have an important role to play in structuring the environment and activities to support children’s physical development.
EEF | Physical Development (educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk)
Becoming Physical Development Champions
Reddish Vale Nursery School engaged in Physical Development Champion training where we evaluated our current environment and made some changes to promote gross motor skills. We removed the majority of chairs from the tables to enable children to stretch for resources. We made group times more physical. We increased activities which help to develop core strength. We corrected W sitting where this was happening. We also provided more opportunities for tummy time.
Although we have always promoted independence in children we looked for times of the day where we could increase opportunities for this. We encourage children to pour their own drinks at snack time and peel their own fruit. At lunch time children collect their own lunches and clear away after themselves.
âThere is an absolute wealth of evidence based information, videos, case studies and examples for best practice available you can read at your own pace, but did you know that researching, investigating and using the Education Endowment Foundation EEF Evidence Store shows that you are reflecting on your setting so make sure you add these to your personal development record.
The furniture was also checked to ensure that this was appropriate for the individual and we changed chairs to enable children to anchor themselves properly when seated, with both feet on the floor. Some chairs with arms are used for children that need extra support.
Beyond our Physical Development Champion work – what did we do next?
Observation and reflection
The EEF studies looked at the benefits of introducing different resources to stimulate interest or encourage nature-based play. Different or new resources could be smaller tools such as hand tools and jigsaws or more dynamic toys such as balls or climbing frames. In nature-based studies, children were encouraged to participate in more risky play through climbing natural structures. Likewise, freedom to play with natural elements such as grass, rocks, and branches was supported. These activities all led to improvements in children’s physical development outcomes. A common theme across the evidence was ensuring that children were provided with choice and a high degree of independence.
EEF | Physical Development (educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk)
Introducing a gravel pit
Gravel pits can bring the following benefits:
1. Sensory Development
Gravel offers a unique tactile experience different from sand, water, or soil. This helps children explore texture, weight, and sound, enriching their sensory input.
2. Fine Motor Skills
Scooping, pouring, picking up, and sifting small stones promotes hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Using tools like shovels, buckets, or sieves builds grip strength and control.
3. Creativity and Imaginative Play
Gravel can be used in pretend construction, road-building, or even as "ingredients" in play kitchens.
It encourages open-ended play, allowing children to invent their own games and stories.
4. STEM Learning
Children naturally engage in early science and math concepts through sorting by size, counting stones, or experimenting with gravity and volume. Opportunities for cause and effect learning, like observing how gravel moves or shifts.
At Reddish Vale Nursery School, the children made their own gravel pit using tarpaulin, sleepers and a huge order of pea sized gravel.
Climbing opportunities in the 2s
Through observing our 2 year olds we noticed their need for a constructive physical outlet, helping them to burn energy and regulate emotions and behaviour afterward.
We therefore introduced a climbing wall where
1.Gross Motor Development
Climbing strengthens large muscle groups in the arms, legs, and core. This helps develop balance, coordination, and body awareness.
2. Fine Motor and Grip Strength
Grasping climbing holds improves hand strength, finger dexterity, and fine motor control—important for future skills like writing and self-care.
3. Confidence and Independence
Climbing challenges young children in a way that lets them experience success, promoting self-esteem and a sense of achievement. It encourages independent decision-making and exploration.
Conclusion
When did you last evaluate your environment through the physical development lens? Do your routines and environments all offer opportunities for independence? Are your children encouraged to take risks? Are there opportunities for tummy time, even for older children?
Look specifically at what the children are already doing and how this could be developed. Do you already have resources that could be introduced in a different way? Are you making the best use of the space you’ve got?
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References
https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/early-years/evidence-store/physical-development
https://www.reddishvalenursery.stockport.sch.uk/our-curriculum/physical-development-champions
https://rise.mmu.ac.uk/topic/the-importance-of-physical-development/
Physical Development Physical activity is vital in children’s all-round development, enabling them to pursue happy, healthy and active lives9. Gross and fine motor experiences develop incrementally throughout early childhood, starting with sensory explorations and the development of a child’s strength, co-ordination and positional awareness through tummy time, crawling and play movement with both objects and adults. By creating games and providing opportunities for play both indoors and outdoors, adults can support children to develop their core strength, stability, balance, spatial awareness, co-ordination and agility. Gross motor skills provide the foundation for developing healthy bodies and social and emotional well-being. Fine motor control and precision helps with hand-eye co-ordination, which is later linked to early literacy. Repeated and varied opportunities to explore and play with small world activities, puzzles, arts and crafts and the practice of using small tools, with feedback and support from adults, allow children to develop proficiency, control and confidence. P10.
https://child-development-training.education.gov.uk/about/module-5
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