Promoting Pyhsical Play

In July 2011, the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) from the four home countries of the UK launched physical activity guidelines for the early years. For under fives the physical activity guidelines are:

• Physical activity should be encouraged from birth, particularly through floor-based play and water-based activities in safe environments.
• Children of pre-school age who are capable of walking unaided should be physically active daily for at least 180 minutes (3 hours), spread throughout the day.
• All under-fives should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (being restrained or sitting) for extended periods (except time spent sleeping).

There is now reference to physical activity in the revised EYFS Statutory Framework. Therefore practitioners and managers need to understand the guidelines fully. An infographic has been released by The Department of Health to health convey the message





Creating physical play opportunities can be a seamless job when working in the early years, as there are plenty of times in the day when physical play can be encouraged. Physical activity should be encouraged from as early as birth, as it suggested that it can help many areas of children’s development, e.g., brain development, bone health, etc

As part of this we are making more opportunities to utilise our beautiful surrounding area and get physical in the park. This week the children have been running in the basketball courts. This also gives us great opportunities to discuss with children how physical activity can have a big impact on their bodies, making their hearts beat faster, makes them warmer and increase their breathing and making them thirsty. This promotes development in Physical Development - Health and Self Care.