Children enjoy physical play both indoors and
outdoors. They revel in freedom of movement and in
play that is inventive, adventurous and stimulating.
Physical play that develops gross motor skills, for
example running, jumping, climbing, skipping,
hopping, balancing, kicking, striking, throwing and
catching, helps children to develop balance, control,
co-ordination and an awareness of size, space and
direction. Play opportunities should be maximised
indoors and outdoors to help develop fine motor
skills such as grasping, screwing, pinching, picking,
holding and threading, which are important for
the development of eye and hand control.

Young children learn and develop through:
• taking part in physical play and beginning to
develop an understanding of safe practice;
• responding creatively to a range of stimuli
including music, songs, action rhymes and stories;
and
• having opportunities to develop social skills,
such as turn-taking, sharing, co-operating and
negotiating, and values such as trust, fairness and
respect for others.