In EYFS there is a big focus on skills outside of the basic Reading, Writing and Maths. The EYFS Curriculum is there to help prepare children for the future and build foundations. Gross motor skills, like running, jumping, throwing etc are fundamental in children's development. They are described as large muscle movements in the arms, legs and torso. Many will be surprised to realise that by developing these they act as a base for developing smaller, more refined movements like writing as well as being linked to cognitive and social development.
Over the last week or so our planning in EYFS has been working on these skills, last week it involved participating in a 'race' like the 12 animals from the Chinese Zodiac testing balance and coordination. This week the children are playing 'tag' by being the shark and the fish. Children with the shark headbands are required to chase the fish and grab their tails (bibs tucked in the back of them). We also have large paintbrushes, rollers and big boxes for children to engage those arm muscles using large movements to paint. It was a hit today and we look forward to watching the progress over the week.
