Unit 6: Physical development: gross motor skills

Gross motor skills is one of the two aspects of physical development, one of the three prime areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children are expected to reach the early learning goal at the end of the EYFS in the reception year at primary school.

All staff need to be confident of their role in developing children’s understanding of this area of learning and development whatever the age of the children they work with. It is important to remember that different approaches are appropriate for different ages of children and different children will progress in their understanding at different rates.

Participants will:

• know the early learning goal in relation to gross motor skills
• understand how to interact with children to develop their gross motor skills
• know what resources will support children in becoming proficient in their gross motor skills
• gain confidence in planning for this area of learning and development for children of different ages and stages.

Step 1: Introduction (5–10 minutes)
Step 2: Ideas to support the goal (10–15 minutes)
Step 3: Plan an activity (5–10 minutes)