Teach-Early-Years-14.1

TIM RICHARDS IS DEPUTY HEADTEACHER AT BURNHAM-ON-SEA INFANT SCHOOL P hysical development in early years is much more than just getting children active. It can lay the foundation for a lifetime of joyful, confident movement. Young children naturally love to move, and with thought and planning, we can also use physical activity as a vehicle for developing all other Prime and Specific areas of learning. Here are seven things to try in your setting... 1 Create an inclusive movement environment Design your space and activities to accommodate different ability levels, ensuring every child can participate successfully. Consider using visual cues, adaptable equipment and flexible challenge levels to suit all children, including those with additional needs. 2 Weave movement into storytelling Transform physical activities into adventures by incorporating storytelling elements. To make movement meaningful and memorable, rather than working on balance, children become explorers on a pirate ship; instead of practising footwork and spatial awareness, they pretend to go for a ride on their bikes. This approach aligns with how young children learn and makes physical development an organic part of their day. Using a thematic approach of stories, games and songs has provided a great hook for all our children to develop their learning. 3 Celebrate individual progress Implement a celebration system that recognises each child’s unique journey. Focus on personal improvement rather than comparison with peers, highlighting not just their Physical activity has the power to support positive learning experiences across the EYFS, as Tim Richards and John Parsons explain… Make the most of movement of movement in early development. This partnership helps reinforce positive attitudes towards physical activity. 6 Build teacher confidence Invest in professional learning and support that empowers practitioners to deliver high- quality movement experiences. When teachers feel confident, they’re more likely to provide regular, engaging physical activities that challenge and support every child appropriately. Using great demo videos supports teachers and allows our infant children a great start to building an active and healthy lifestyle. 7 Follow the child’s lead While structure is often important, remain flexible enough to follow children’s interests and spontaneous movement opportunities. This might mean turning an impromptu balancing game on a log into a focused skill- development activity or using children’s fascination with animals to inspire new ways to move and travel. These approaches have proven successful at our school. They have offered more structure to physical activity and PE and removed teacher preference when planning for these sessions. This consistent approach for each year group has had huge benefits for both teachers and pupils, allowing them all to thrive. This article was co-written by John Parsons, director of innovation at real PE, which supports primary schools to deliver an outstanding PE curriculum. physical achievements but also positive learning behaviours. This approach helps build confidence and creates a supportive atmosphere where every small step forward is valued. 4 Make skill development playful Structure activities that develop FMS while maintaining the joy of play. For example, turn jumping practice into a game of exploring the moon, or develop sending and receiving skills through imaginative scenarios like being jugglers in the circus. Moving to music and adapting well-known nursery rhymes also brings a new dimension. The key is to maintain the balance between skill development and playful engagement. 5 Partner with parents Create a movement-positive culture that extends beyond your setting by actively involving parents and carers. Share simple activity ideas they can try at home, celebrate physical achievements during parent meetings, and communicate the value For more ideas to support physical development, explore real PE’s FREE Early Years resource pack at realpe.co.uk/support- teacher-confidence- and-expertise 28 Teachearlyyears.com