Support for children starting nursery school: Physical development
Physical development helps children build strength, coordination, balance, and confidence as they grow. Being active every day supports healthy development and helps children learn important movement skills through play, exploration, and everyday activities. Whether it is running, climbing, dancing, or taking part in outdoor play, there are many fun ways to encourage your child to stay active.
Why physical development matters
Physical development is a vital foundation for a child's lifelong health, learning, and wellbeing.
Active play, healthy nutrition, and supportive environments help children:
- build strength, coordination, and movement skills
- develop confidence and independence
- improve wellbeing and readiness for learning
- establish healthy habits that can last a lifetime
- achieve their full potential
Active play and movement
Regular play is essential for developing physical skills and supporting overall development. Children should have daily opportunities to explore, move, climb, run, balance, and play both indoors and outdoors.
Gross motor skills
Gross motor skills involve the large muscles used for activities such as crawling, walking, running, jumping, and climbing. Active play strengthens a child's coordination, balance, core strength, and spatial awareness.
Fine motor skills
Fine motor development focuses on the small muscles of the hands and fingers. Essential everyday skills such as grasping objects, using cutlery, drawing, and early writing are developed naturally through practical activities and daily play.
Physical literacy
Building physical literacy means helping children gain the confidence, motivation, and skills to enjoy movement as part of everyday life. For babies, activities such as supervised tummy time support early strength. For older children, it is about making active play a natural, fun part of the day.
Healthy growth and nutrition
Good nutrition and staying hydrated are essential for a child's health, growth, and development. Helping children build healthy eating and drinking habits from an early age supports steady growth, maintains a healthy weight, and promotes good oral health.
Combining active play with healthy foods helps children feel their best, establish great habits, and thrive both at home and at school.
Healthy Child Wales Programme
The Healthy Child Wales Programme helps health professionals monitor children's growth and development through regular health contacts and assessments.
Checking in regularly ensures that children and families can access the right support as soon as any developmental concerns arise.
For more information visit Welsh Government: Healthy Child Wales Programme (external website)