Physical Development in the EYFS

Physical Development is a core area of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage, helping children grow in strength, coordination, and confidence. Through a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities, children develop both their fine motor skills—like holding pencils and using scissors—and their gross motor skills, such as running, climbing, and balancing. We support every child to enjoy being active, understand the importance of physical health, and build the skills they need for everyday life.

Below are some pictures of our children enjoying and engaging in Physical Development activities over the years.

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2024 to 2025

Young child climbing play equipment in the park, developing gross motor skills, core strength, and confidence as part of EYFS Physical Development.

Climbing and exploring at the local park – supporting balance, coordination, and physical confidence through active outdoor play.

Child exploring sand with hands and tools, developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory engagement as part of EYFS Physical Development.

Digging, scooping, and pouring – building strength, coordination, and sensory awareness through sand play in EYFS

Child riding a toy tractor in the playground, strengthening leg muscles, balance, and coordination as part of EYFS Physical Development.

Developing coordination and muscle control while riding on a toy tractor – promoting gross motor skills through active outdoor play.

Child constructing with Duplo blocks, developing hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and fine motor skills as part of EYFS Physical and Cognitive Development.

Building with Duplo to strengthen fine motor skills and encourage creativity – supporting early development through hands-on play

Child confidently sliding down playground slide, developing balance, strength, and self-assurance as part of EYFS Physical Development.

Building confidence and coordination with every slide – encouraging gross motor development through active outdoor play

Child carefully navigating a jungle bridge in the park, building gross motor skills, balance, and confidence as part of EYFS Physical Development.

Balancing and climbing with confidence – developing strength, coordination, and resilience on the jungle bridge during outdoor play

Child developing gross motor skills and coordination while playing on a see-saw, supporting EYFS Physical Development and social interaction.

Building balance, strength, and social skills while rocking on the see-saw – learning through joyful outdoor play.

Child building a LEGO structure, developing hand-eye coordination, creativity, and cognitive skills as part of EYFS Expressive Arts and Physical Development.

Creating and constructing with LEGO – supporting fine motor skills, problem-solving, and imagination through hands-on play.

Young children playing at the local park developing physical skills as part of EYFS outdoor learning

Building strength and coordination through outdoor play at the local park – part of EYFS physical development

Exploring textures and building fine motor skills through sand play – supporting EYFS physical development

Developing fine motor skills through sand play – part of EYFS physical development

Rolling, catching, kicking – growing strong through play!

Building coordination and confidence through ball play – supporting EYFS physical development

Big smiles and little splashes – learning through water fun!

Splashing and pouring – building coordination through EYFS water play.

Child playing with Stickle Bricks, developing creativity, hand-eye coordination, and construction skills as part of EYFS Physical Development and Expressive Arts.

Building bright ideas! Stickle Bricks spark creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor development through imaginative play.

Child playing with a puzzle outdoors, developing problem-solving abilities, spatial awareness, and fine motor coordination in a park setting as part of EYFS learning

Puzzle time in the park! Encouraging critical thinking, concentration, and fine motor skills through outdoor problem-solving fun

Child feeling and exploring sand with hands, enhancing sensory awareness and curiosity in line with EYFS learning goals.

Discovering the texture of sand – encouraging sensory exploration, fine motor skills, and early scientific thinking through tactile play.

Child stepping across outdoor tyres, developing gross motor skills, balance, and physical coordination in line with EYFS Physical Development goals.

Balancing on tyres – building core strength, coordination, and confidence through active outdoor play.

Child riding a tricycle outdoors, developing gross motor skills, coordination, and confidence as part of EYFS Physical Development.

Pedalling into independence – building strength, balance, and coordination while riding the tricycle during outdoor play.

Child exploring the park environment, engaging with nature and developing gross motor skills as part of EYFS Understanding the World and Physical Development.

Discovering nature and developing curiosity – exploring the park to build knowledge, confidence, and physical skills.

Child playing with building blocks, developing hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and maths skills as part of EYFS Physical Development and Mathematics.

Stacking and sorting blocks – enhancing fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and early maths concepts through play.

Child playing with water, developing fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and curiosity about the world around them as part of EYFS learning.

Splish splash fun! Exploring water play to build sensory awareness, coordination, and early scientific thinking.

Child playing with toy construction vehicles in wet sand to support creativity, coordination, and exploration in early years.

Digging, scooping, and building with construction vehicles in wet sand – encouraging imaginative play, fine motor development, and early understanding of the world.

Children mixing wet sand in a toy cement mixer to explore textures, develop motor skills, and engage in imaginative play as part of EYFS learning.

Mixing wet sand in a cement truck encourages imaginative role play, supports fine motor skills, and builds early understanding of materials and the world around us.

A young child playing in a plastic sandbox filled with sand and colorful plastic toys outside on green grass.

Scooping sand builds essential fine motor skills and encourages early exploration of textures, volume, and cause and effect—laying the groundwork for physical and cognitive development in the EYFS.

nfant child using a xylophone, supporting early physical development and fine motor skills through musical play.

Building strength and coordination—our infant explores physical development through xylophone play, using arms and hands to strike keys and develop fine motor control.

Child engaged in a fine motor skills activity, developing hand-eye coordination and dexterity as part of EYFS Physical Development.

Strengthening fine motor skills through hands-on activities that boost hand-eye coordination and dexterity, essential for early learning and independence.

Child spreading colorful Duplo blocks, enhancing fine motor development and imaginative play as part of EYFS Physical Development and Expressive Arts.

Spreading and arranging Duplo blocks to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and early creative thinking

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