This document provides information on introducing physical education for preschool children. It discusses the importance of active physical play for children's whole body, mind and soul development. Active play supports brain development, language and social skills. It recommends both adult-guided skill development and free child-initiated active play. Fundamental movement skills include stability, locomotion and manipulation. Tips include using groups, cues and feedback to support children's skills, and ensuring indoor or wet weather activity options. The overall message is the importance of physical activity for preschoolers' health and well-being now and in the future.

1. Introduction of
physical Education
for
pre – school Children

2. Ideas on how you in your day tothese
can support
recommendations
day
practice
What are fundamental movement skills and
what do they look like?
Ways to support the development of
fundamental movement skills in young
children
Linking physical activity with the home
How foraccess further support from the
to
Good
Kids team
What are the most up to date physical
activity recommendations for children
3-5 years?

3. An educational course related to the
physique of the human body, taken during
primary and secondary education that
encourages psychomotor learning in
a play or movement exploration setting to
promote health

4. Why is Active Physical Play so
Important?
Active physical play benefits
the whole child – body, mind
and soul
Active physical play provides a
variety of learning experiences
for young children.
Early lifestyle choices impact
children’s health and well-being,
both now and in their future.

5. Intellectual Benefits of Active Physical Play
Active physical play promotes
brain development by creating
and maintaining important
neural pathways.
Active physical play helps the
mind process and improve
language skills.
Active play supports creativity,
logical reasoning, and problemsolving skills.

6. Emotional and Social Benefits of
Active Physical Play
Through active physical play children gain
confidence and self-esteem.
Active physical play decreases children’s
anxiety, stress, and depression.
Active physical play teaches children how to
build beneficial relationships with peers.
Active physical play helps children learn to
communicate with others

7. Physical Activities for pre-Schoolers
Both adult guided skill development activities
and child initiated, free active play are required
to support appropriate physical activity in
children
Active play can occur both indoors and
outdoors
Music and movement, dramatic play, water play
and active transitions are all examples of ways
you can promote children to be more active
through active play experiences

8. Fundamental movement skills
in pre-school Children
There are 3 types of fundamental movement skills
1) Stability skills
Moving or standing still with one body part making contact
with the ground or equipment, and moving around own
vertical or horizontal axis i.e. balancing, stretching, twisting,
bending etc.
2) Locomotor Skills
Moving the body from one location to another i.e. walking,
running, jumping, leaping, galloping, hopping, side- sliding
3) Manipulation skills
Imparting or receiving force from or to an object i.e. throwing,
catching, striking, bouncing, kicking, rolling

9. TIPS…
 Adult guided fundamental movement skills learning
experiences could involve participation in large
groups of children, small groups or pairs
 Use appropriate teaching cues when explaining how
to perform the skill and when providing feedback on
skill performance to assist or extend individual
children
 During periods of bad weather, ensure there are
plenty of opportunities to be active indoors or ask
parents to pack wet weather gear so children can still
have fun and play outdoors

10. A SOUND MIND IN A SOUND
BODY
THANK YOU