Physical Development in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Physical development is one of the three prime areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). That alone tells you how seriously the UK government takes it. Without a strong foundation in physical skills, children struggle to access every other area of learning from literacy and maths to social confidence and emotional regulation.

This guide breaks down what physical development means under the EYFS, why it matters, what practitioners look for, and how you can support your child at home.

‍

What Is Physical Development in the EYFS?

The EYFS is a statutory framework in England that sets the standards all early years providers must meet for children from birth to age five. It covers learning, development, and care and it applies to every nursery, childminder, and Reception class.

The framework groups learning into seven areas. Three of these are "prime" areas meaning they underpin everything else. Physical development is one of them, alongside communication and language, and personal, social and emotional development.

Since the EYFS reforms took effect in September 2021, physical development sits under two clear categories:

• Gross motor skills — large whole-body movements such as running, jumping, climbing, balancing, and crawling
• Fine motor skills — smaller, more precise movements involving the hands, fingers, wrists, and face (including eye movements and mouth control)

Both are assessed at the end of the Reception year through Early Learning Goals (ELGs). But the journey to those goals starts at birth.

‍

Why Physical Development Matters So Early

Here is why this matters more than most parents realise: physical development is not just about movement. It connects directly to brain development, emotional wellbeing, and later academic ability.

Let's break it down.

Gross motor skills build the foundation for everything else. When babies develop core strength through tummy time and crawling, they build the shoulder, back, and abdominal muscles needed to sit still at a desk years later. Children who skip the crawling stage sometimes miss out on this muscle development, which can affect posture, concentration, and hand strength.

Fine motor skills are the gateway to writing. Picking up objects, threading beads, using scissors, holding a pencil all of these depend on hand-eye coordination that develops gradually through play. The Education Endowment Foundation notes that fine motor skills involve small muscles working alongside the brain and nervous system to control movement in the hands, fingers, lips, tongue, and eyes.

Outdoor movement supports mental health. Physical activity outdoors reduces stress, supports sleep, builds resilience, and gives children a healthy relationship with their bodies from the earliest years.

‍

The EYFS Physical Development Early Learning Goals

By the end of the Reception year (typically age five), children are assessed against two Early Learning Goals in physical development. Practitioners judge whether a child is working at the expected level or is still emerging.

Gross Motor Skills ELG

By the end of the EYFS, children should be able to:

• Negotiate space and obstacles safely, with awareness of themselves and others
• Demonstrate strength, balance, and coordination when playing
• Move energetically running, jumping, dancing, hopping, skipping, and climbing

Fine Motor Skills ELG

By the end of the EYFS, children should be able to:

• Hold a pencil effectively in preparation for fluent writing
• Use a range of small tools, including scissors, paintbrushes, and cutlery
• Begin to show accuracy and care when drawing

These goals are benchmarks, not a rigid checklist. Practitioners observe children over time and build up a picture of their development through play and everyday activity not formal tests.

‍

How Physical Development Builds Across the Early Years

The EYFS covers birth to age five, and physical development progresses in stages. Here is a rough guide to what that looks like in practice.

Birth to 12 months: Babies explore their bodies through sensory play. Tummy time builds core strength. Rolling, reaching, grasping, and eventually crawling are the first big milestones in gross motor development.

12 to 24 months: Walking, climbing, and beginning to run. Fine motor skills show in how children pick up food, turn pages, and start mark-making with crayons.

2 to 3 years: Greater balance and coordination. Children begin kicking and throwing balls, using stairs with support, and showing a hand preference. Fine motor work progresses through threading, building with blocks, and using play dough.

3 to 5 years: More control and agility. Children can hop, skip, and climb with confidence. They begin drawing recognisable shapes and figures. Pencil grip develops. Scissors become manageable. By this stage, practitioners are preparing children for the transition to Key Stage 1.

‍

What Good Practice Looks Like in an EYFS Setting

Good nurseries do not separate physical development into "gym sessions" and leave it there. Physical development weaves through every part of the day.

Here is what to look for in a quality early years setting:

• Outdoor access every day. The EYFS framework and the Department of Health both recommend that children under five accumulate at least three hours of physical activity daily. A well-run nursery makes outdoor play a non-negotiable part of the day, regardless of weather.
• A range of resources. Balance beams, climbing frames, digging areas, parachute play, sand and water trays, loose parts, and large building blocks all contribute to gross motor development. Dough gym, threading activities, mark-making tools, and small-world play support fine motor skills.
• Adult interaction that scaffolds learning. Practitioners do not just set up resources and step back. They model movements, offer encouragement, introduce language ("balance," "stretch," "grip"), and gently extend what children can do.
• Sensory experiences. From birth, physical development begins with sensory exploration. Settings that offer varied textures, materials, and movements give children the richest possible start.
• Progression built into planning. The best settings track each child's physical development over time and plan activities that meet children where they are not where the curriculum says they should be.

At Little Mowgli Nursery in Leyland, outdoor play is treated as an essential part of the day, not an optional extra. Their setting includes a dedicated outdoor play area used in all weathers, with activities designed to build both gross and fine motor skills through adventurous, nature-inspired play.

‍

The Link Between Physical Development and School Readiness

Parents sometimes ask whether nursery is really about "just playing." The short answer: yes  and that play is the most effective preparation for school there is.

Physical development specifically feeds school readiness in three ways.

1. Core strength supports sitting and concentration. Children who lack core stability find it hard to sit still on a carpet or at a desk. This is not a behaviour issue, it is a physical one. Nurseries that prioritise climbing, crawling, and balancing are directly supporting children's ability to learn in a classroom.

2. Fine motor development supports writing. Pencil control does not come from practising letters. It comes from months of play with small tools, arts and crafts, dough, threading, and construction. These activities build the muscle memory and hand-eye coordination that writing demands.

3. Physical confidence builds emotional resilience. Children who feel capable in their bodies who can climb, run, balance, and create carry that confidence into other areas of their lives. Risk-taking in physical play teaches children to assess situations, persist through challenges, and recover from minor setbacks.

‍

How to Support Physical Development at Home

Nursery does a great deal of this work, but the home environment matters too. Here are practical things you can do:

Let them move. Give children space and time for free physical play every day. Gardens, parks, and open spaces all count. Prioritise movement over screen time, especially before age three.

Offer small-scale activities. Threading pasta onto string, tearing paper, stirring thick dough, using a child-safe hole punch these are all fine motor activities disguised as fun.

Don't rush pencil grip. Many parents worry when their three-year-old can't hold a pencil correctly. Let the play come first. Core strength and hand strength develop through physical activity, and pencil readiness follows naturally.

Play outside in all weathers. A raincoat and wellies go a long way. Puddles, mud, leaves, and sticks offer sensory and physical experiences that indoor play simply cannot replicate.

Talk about bodies and movement. Narrate what your child is doing: "You climbed all the way to the top!" Use positional language "over," "under," "through" as they play. This builds body awareness alongside vocabulary.

‍

Physical Development and the Wider EYFS Framework

It is worth being clear about where physical development sits in the bigger picture.

The EYFS framework covers seven areas of learning. The three prime areas communication and language, personal, social and emotional development, and physical development are considered the foundation. The specific areas (literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design) build on them.

This means that when a child's physical development is supported well, it pays dividends across every other area of the EYFS. A child who has good hand control will find early writing easier. A child who has experience of balance and spatial awareness will find early math concepts more accessible. A child who has played freely and physically with other children will have stronger social skills.

Physical development is not a standalone area it runs through everything.

‍

How Little Mowgli Nursery Approaches Physical Development

Little Mowgli Nursery, based in Leyland, Lancashire, places physical development and outdoor learning at the heart of its approach. The nursery operates two dedicated rooms the Tiger Room and the Giraffe Room alongside an outdoor play area designed for active, adventurous play.

The team at Little Mowgli Nursery believes that time spent outdoors in all weathers builds resilience, curiosity, and physical confidence. Their nature-inspired approach means children are regularly engaging with outdoor environments that challenge balance, coordination, and sensory awareness all essential for physical development under the EYFS.

‍

Frequently Asked Questions About Physical Development in the EYFS

1. What age does physical development in the EYFS start? 

Physical development in the EYFS begins at birth. The framework covers children from birth to age five, and the earliest stages focus on sensory exploration, tummy time, and building core strength. Every stage matters and builds on the one before.

2. What are the two Early Learning Goals for physical development? 

The two ELGs are gross motor skills and fine motor skills. Gross motor covers large movements like running, jumping, and climbing. Fine motor covers precise movements like holding a pencil, using scissors, and controlling small tools. Both are assessed at the end of Reception.

3. How much physical activity do children under five need each day? 

The Department of Health recommends that children under five who can walk should accumulate at least three hours of physical activity spread throughout the day. This includes both structured and free play, indoors and outdoors.

4. What can I do if I think my child is behind in physical development? 

Speak to your child's key person at nursery first. They track development over time and can offer tailored ideas for support. If there are ongoing concerns, your health visitor or GP can refer your child for an assessment. Early support makes a real difference.

5. Does fine motor development really affect learning to write? 

Yes. Writing readiness depends heavily on hand strength, grip control, and hand-eye coordination all of which develop through physical play long before a pencil is introduced. Activities like threading, tearing, squeezing, and building are all preparing your child for writing without them even knowing it.

‍