During the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, children build on their natural enthusiasm for movement, using it to explore and learn about their world. They start to play and work with other children in pairs and small groups. By watching, listening and experimenting with movement and ideas, they develop their skills in movement and their coordination, and enjoy expressing and testing themselves in a variety of situations.
Children:
- find out what they can do as they explore a range of basic skills, actions and ideas, such as running, jumping and turning, throwing or kicking a ball and responding to music in dance;
- learn to practise by repeating what they have done in ways that make it better, such as making movements more controlled, effective or expressive;
- use movement imaginatively to communicate ideas and feelings;
- watch, copy and describe what they and others have practised, to build their awareness of how to improve the way they move and play;
- recognise that their bodies feel different when they run short or longer distances, move slowly or suddenly, and lift heavy objects or float in water;
- learn to use space safely when they work alone and with others, showing increasing control over their movements.
Foundation Stage
Key Stage 1