It’s the season to get sporty! With all the buzz of Wimbledon and the Women’s Euros this month, our nursery children have been on the move – building essential gross and fine motor skills through active, playful learning.
Sporty Days & Obstacle Course Fun!
We started by getting active in the garden. The children have been dancing, hopping, and crawling, and even practicing some tricky ball skills to build their co-ordination.
Our mini sports stars stepped out on their own Chessel Centre Court. They showed off some sensational tennis talent, demonstrating their strength and control.
Meanwhile, our preschool children have been stepping it up! They’ve been flexing their fingers, slicing strawberries to enjoy with a dollop of whipped cream for a well-earned post workout treat. We love seeing their concentration faces as they work on co-ordinating careful movements. (And not putting all the fruit straight in their mouths!).
What are gross and fine motor skills?
Physical development is one of the seven key learning areas outlined in the Early Years Foundation stage (EYFS) framework. It’s dived into two types: gross and fine motor skills, but what are they?
Gross motor skills involve big, whole body movements using the large muscles in the body. For example: running, climbing, swimming, cycling, hopping, jumping & dancing.
Fine motor skills involve smaller, more precise actions using fingers, hands and wrists such as brushing teeth and doing up buttons. These skills build a foundation from which your children will develop and fine tune skills such as holding a pencil to write or draw.
Developing gross motor skills at home
It might sound technical, but helping your child build their gross motor skills is actually simple – and a lot of fun! Children learn best through play, exploration, and a bit of trial and error. So if they stumble or take a tumble, don’t worry – it’s all part of learning how to move confidently and manage risks. These little moments are key to their natural development.
Obstacle courses
One of the most engaging ways to support your child’s movement and coordination is through obstacle courses. These can be set up in or outdoors, using whatever you have to hand, and can combine a range of different challenges.
Obstacle course set up from occupational therapist Laura Mau.
Obstacle course activity ideas menu
The beauty of an obstacle course is it’s versatility – you can keep it fresh. Choose different items or skills to add challenge. Why not let your imagination run wild or take the lead from your little ones?
Climbing & Crawling: Tunnels, hurdles, balance beams
Jumping & Hopping: Trampolines, hopscotch
Carrying & Throwing: Tossing bean bags, hula hooping, lifting objects
Speed & Direction: Time trials, backward movement, slow-motion sections
Partner Play: Wheelbarrow walks, 3-legged races, hold-hands games
Imaginative Fun: Animal walks, story-themed courses, creative challenges
What skills do obstacle courses build?
Obstacle courses support a wide range of developmental benefits, from muscle strength and balance to focus and spatial awareness. Whilst they support gross and fine motor co-ordination, they have many other learning benefits too:
- Balance and core strength
- Sensory integration (vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile)
- Focus and emotional regulation
- Creativity and problem-solving
- Following directions and sequencing
Building fine motor skills at home
If that all sounds a bit sweaty given our recent weather, why not focus on supporting your child’s development of fine motor skills? And we have just the activity: hosting a cream tea! (After all strawberries are a crucial bit of Wimbledon!!)
Crafting a cream team
Hosting a cream tea might seem sedate, but it gives your little person lots of opportunities to work out their fingers. They can help with cutting, spreading and filling sandwiches. They could help make scones and knead the dough to build up their muscles and dexterity. Even getting the food from their plate to their mouths involves hand-eye coordination.
