Top tips: Developing gross motor skills outside
Supporting young children’s gross motor development is a vital part of early years practice, and the outdoor environment offers the perfect space for movement, exploration, and physical challenge. These tips are designed to help you lead, inspire and equip your teams to confidently provide opportunities for children to develop these skills.
Top tips for developing gross motor skills outside
- Lead by example by showing enthusiasm for outdoor play and gross motor activities
- Highlight the importance of gross motor skill development during team meetings and planning sessions
- Provide training as part of your CPD programme. As a team, create and share a bank of gross motor activities suitable for all age groups
- Support staff in planning activities that encourage a variety of different movements
- Audit the outdoor space with your team to ensure it is safe, stimulating, and offers a wide variety of movement opportunities
- Add portable resources such as tyres, planks, and crates to create open-ended opportunities for large physical movements
- Notice and praise when staff actively promote gross motor play or introduce new ideas outdoors
- Share photos or stories of successful outdoor activities and ideas for activities at home with parents
- Encourage staff to reflect on what went well, what children enjoyed, and what could be improved. Use questions like, “How did this support their gross motor development?” or, “What could we try next?”
- Support staff confidence in understanding the difference between hazards and challenges (acceptable risk) in physical play. Talk through real-life scenarios and build confidence in allowing children to climb, jump, and safely test their physical limits.
NDNA products to support you with this tip
Disclaimer: Activities with children must always be risk assessed, including for allergies or choking. Children must always have adequate supervision. Resources and materials must always be appropriate for children’s age and stage of development.
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