When I introduce a child to a physical activity I plan and use
equipment for the age and stage of the child.

To build on their experience and understanding I encourage them in all
activities example once they have learned to walk in a line along the
floor they can learn to balance and walk on a wooden bench. Also
repeating activities and praising will help them participate in
activities so that they use equipment independently and have a sense
of achievement.

* I always take into consideration safety in any activity indoors or
outdoors.

* Children are supervised at all times.

* I use equipment and plan activities for the age and stage of the
children.

* I take into consideration the individual need of the children.

* That there is enough space and no child is running around
dangerously.

* That equipment is used in the correct manor

* I make sure there are safety mats under slides and climbing frames.

* I check daily that my toys and equipment are not broken and have no
sharp edges.

* I check my outside area for broken glass, dog pooh or needles.

* I tell my parents about the children wearing jewellery I prefer them
not to wear it as necklace s and hoop earrings can get caught or
pulled out during physical activities.

In doing physical activities the child s:

* Self esteem is increased

* It strengthens their muscles and joints.

* Helps balance, co ordination, and flexibility.

* Promotes language, and co – operation.

* Reduces the risk of heart disease in later life.

* Gives you a healthy appetite.

* Gives a sense of purpose and self fulfilment.

They also learn to:

* Run

* Jump

* Skip

* Ride

* Climb

* Roll

* Dance

I take the children regularly to the park as theirs more space and
gets the children out into the fresh air and I tell the children that
walking is a good exercise.

Space is needed when doing physical activities, but in some settings
space can be limited

In my setting space is limited so when I bring the slide indoors and
have the tunnel out I only have those activities out or I do a lot of
musical activities like head shoulders knees and toes, and dancing or
hoop, ball or skittles games. Some children can get over excited when
doing physical activities and if space is limited it can be dangerous
so I always make sure theirs not too many children doing physical
activities at once.

When children are doing an activity I praise them all the time by
telling them that they skipped really well or you jumped really high
and if a child is reluctant to take part in an activity I give lots of
encouragement so that they join in.

I participate in some of the activities like ball games, hoop or
skipping as some children know what to do and some don t so this gives
the children plenty of encouragement by showing them what to do.

I always encourage children to help each other and to take turns as
this helps them get along together as a group and I always praise a
child if I see them helping another child.

Some children don t want to play because of stereotyping boy s might
not want to play with girls or girl s with boy s if I see this in my
setting I always tell the children that we all play together and
encourage children to play together. Also children might not want to
join in as what they wear restricts them from some activities example
their shoes are to high and they can not climb or very long dresses
that get caught I have in the past asked parents if they can bring
plimsolls or wear track suit bottoms when doing physical activities
but it can be difficult because of culture and religious beliefs.

When considering a child with special needs I think about the safety
and their ability and needs. I look after a child who has sickle cell
and when taking part in physical activities he can become tired very
quickly and have pains in his back and legs so during the activities I
encourage him to rest for five minutes and have a drink this normally
restores him and he carry s on playing also I look after a child who
has Autism and he needs constant supervision as he gets confused
sometimes in activities especially if it s a new activity, how I get
round this is by indroducing him slowly to the activity this might be
just sitting with him and watching the other children and repeating to
him what they are doing or using cards with pictures on example if a
child is skipping I give him a card with a picture of a child
skipping and repeat to him what the child is doing this process can
take time but does work eventually and has in the past been a real
help.