Physical development is one of the three prime areas for learning and development within the statutory framework for the early years foundation stage. These prime areas for learning and development are fundamentally important within early years education, as it is these prime areas that form the foundations to which all further learning is built upon.
Physical development consists of two elements: Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills.
The statutory framework for the early years foundation stage states that:
‘Gross motor skills provide the foundation for developing healthy bodies and social and emotional well-being. Fine motor control and precision helps with hand-eye co-ordination, which is later linked to early literacy.’