Physical development
The National Education Nature Park provides opportunities for early learning and development in Physical development through outdoor play and exploration. Natural outdoor spaces are uneven and inconsistent and therefore improve children’s balance, coordination, agility and encourage movement in ways that improve their muscles, bones and physical endurance. By creating space for learners to play in nature, they can create a positive relationship with the natural world whilst improving their physical development. Browse the resources library or take a look at the suggestions below.
Adult-led activity suggestions
- develop learners' fine and gross motor skills by encouraging them to build a simple bow and arrow. Learners will need to look closely whilst choosing the perfect natural material for their bows and develop their fine motor skills using simple tools.
- every learner can connect to nature and enjoy an early introduction to woodwork through whittling wood with potato peelers. This helps learners to build fine and gross motor skills whilst being creative in nature and exploring the multiple layers of different materials.
- learners can strengthen their fine and gross motor skills in many ways in nature. Bring your outdoor area to life with this loose parts challenge in which children use natural objects and old clothes to create their own scarecrow to protect their plants from birds, and introduce the concept of a food chain.
- develop learners’ fine motor skills and connection to nature by creating seed bombs. This will allow children to get mucky and take part in planting in a fun and creative way, whilst helping them to understand what a seed needs to thrive.
Nature Park highlight
- Anatomy of a tree: in groups, each child chooses a part of a tree to become, moving their bodies to create shapes whilst thinking about the roles of each element.
Continuous provision
This continuous provision and the accompanying activities create space and opportunity for children to develop an appreciation for nature and their environment. Through pretending to be different insects on an obstacle course they've helped to create, learners will move and explore, improving their physical development as well as their understanding of how wildlife use different habitats.
Early learning goals
Gross motor skills
- negotiate space and obstacles safely, with consideration for themselves and others
- demonstrate strength, balance and coordination when playing
- move energetically, such as running, jumping, dancing, hopping, skipping and climbing
Thumbnail image: © RHS, Credit: RHS / Trevor Ray Hart