Get ready for primary school

4. Being active and exploring with your child

There are many ways to help your child to be active and explore their surroundings, like taking them to the local park or going out for a walk — whether in sun, snow or rain.

Young children benefit from exploring the outdoors by jumping, balancing and climbing, allowing them to experience repeated whole body movements. Physical developments supports many aspects of learning such as reading and writing.

Here are some more ideas to help them become more active:

Pre-schoolers (3 to 5 years)

  • Create an obstacle course with your child using cushions, blankets and boxes to encourage crawling, jumping and climbing
  • Visit a local park and have fun practising kicking, throwing and catching a ball
  • Use dough to strengthen finger muscles by rolling, squeezing and pinching 
  • Play musical games with your child such as musical statues, musical bumps and head, shoulders, knees and toes, this will help your child to develop their coordination and listening 

Toddlers (18 months to 3 years)

  • Encourage your child to move around your home at different speeds asking them to speed up, slow down and tip toe.
  • Provide opportunities for your child to explore different textures with their feet such as being barefoot in sand or grass
  • Go on a walk and encourage your child to jump in puddles when it's been raining 
  • Provide opportinities for your child to have fun playing with water indoors and outdoors through filling, pouring and squirting, developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination

Babies (Birth to 18 months)

  • Blowing bubbles with your child encourages eye movement to strengthen their visual development
  • Place your baby on the floor in a safe space or on your chest whilst lying down for tummy time to develop their muscles to help them crawl
  • Spread out your babies toys just out of their reach to encourage them to stretch out and move
  • Play music whilst holding your baby and move to the rhythm of the music 

Best Start Family Hubs

Best Start Family Hubs are support centres that bring different services together in one place for families with children aged 0–19, or up to 25 for those with additional needs. Each Best Start Family Hub is a 'one-stop shop’ where you can find guidance from the Integrated Children and Families Service to keep your child healthy, safe, and looked after.  

We’re here to help you and your family in our seven Best Start Family Hubs and wherever you need us, including in community spaces throughout Oldham and in your home. Our services are designed to give your children the best start in life, and you can access support, activities, and events in our Best Start Family Hubs throughout your children’s lives.  

Find your local Best Start Family Hub here. Follow us on social media:

50 Things To Do Before You're Five

50 Things To Do is about giving all children the best start in life. It is based on the simple idea that quality time as a family away from screens enjoying the indoors and outdoors together. This is a great way to support children’s development. That’s why we’ve put together 50 fun, low or no-cost activities for you to explore and an enjoy at your own pace. Why not download the app where you can capture your memories with photos, print out certificates and find out about local events.

50 Things To Do Before You're Five - website

GM - 10 Top Tips for Moving 

The GM 10 Top Tips for Moving are ten key messages to support physical development for babies, toddlers and young children and can be used by everyone.

Each tip is designed to give families and anyone working with children some small suggestions that can make a big difference and help give children the best start. Each message is based on sound research and is delivered by children.

GM - 10 Top Tips for Moving - website

Videos

We highly recommend visiting the following websites, which include videos and further information on topics covered here; how to support your child’s health and development and the subject of Getting Ready for School

Online Support

My First Day at School - A great game from the BBC KS1 support section to play with your child. Help your child create his/her character and pick a school jumper, then explore the school and find all the different activities to play.

Visit the BBC Bitesize website to access the game - My First Day at School

If you have any concerns about a childs safety or wellbeing, more information can be found here.