Physical Development
Physical Development comprises of self-care, fine motor and gross motor development. Children come into preschool from different environments. Some who are exposed to a lot of physical activities and others without. It is important to give differentiated activities so that children can progress from where they are.
The main goals are:
- Moves around confidently and safely
- Uses a range of physical movements during rhymes and play like-hopping, sliding, rolling, jumping, slithering, running etc.
- Climbs stairs using alternate feet
- Walks downstairs by pausing with both feet after each step
- Can stop or slow down when confronting an object while running
- Can catch a large ball
- Draws lines and circles with a stick using gross motor movements
- Uses tools like scissors, hammer safely and with good control
- Holds pencil with pincer grip i.e. between the thumb and 2 fingers and not with the palm
- Can copy some letters e.g. letters from their name
- Can stand momentarily on one foot
- Climbs equipment over, under, around with good balance
- Shows awareness of space around self and others
- Has good coordination skills e.g. pours water into a bottle, threads beads etc.
- Can tell adults if hungry or thirsty
- Understands safe use of equipment and tools
- Can use the toilet independently and does not lose control over bladder or bowel
- Manages personal hygiene e.g. washing hands before/after eating
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