Everybody learning, anywhere, anytime…

This is part of a collation for each learning area of the
Early Learning Goals and Stepping Stones. Click here for the full index

Move spontaneously within available space

Respond to rhythm, music and story by means of gesture and movement

Can stop

Manage body to create intended movements

Combine and repeat a range of movements

Negotiate an appropriate pathway when walking, running or using a wheelchair or other mobility aids, both indoors and outdoors

Judge body space in relation to spaces available when fitting into confined spaces or negotiating holes and boundaries

Move freely with pleasure and confidence

Move in a range of ways, such as slithering, shuffling, rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping, skipping, sliding and hopping

Use movement to express feelings

Adjust speed or change direction to avoid obstacles

Negotiate space successfully when playing racing and chasing games with other children

Sit up, stand up and balance on various parts of the body

Demonstrate the control necessary to hold a shape or fixed position

Mount stairs, steps or climbing equipment using alternate feet

Show respect for other children's personal space when playing among them

Persevere in repeating some action/attempts when developing a new skill

Collaborate in devising and sharing tasks, including those which involve accepting rules

Go backwards and sideways as well as forwards

Experiment with different ways of moving

Initiate new combinations of movement and gesture in order to express and respond to feelings, ideas and experiences

Jump off an object and land appropriately

Manipulate materials and objects by picking up, releasing, arranging, threading and posting them

Show increasing control over clothing and fastenings

Move body position as necessary

Show a clear and consistent preference for the left or right hand

Move with control and coordination

Travel around, under, over and through balancing and climbing equipment

Show awareness of own needs with regard to eating, sleeping and hygiene

Often need adult support to meet those needs

Engage in activities requiring hand-eye co-ordination

Use one handed tools and equipment

Show awareness of a range of healthy practices with regard to eating, sleeping and hygiene

Observe the effects of activity on their bodies

Construct with large materials such as cartons, long lengths of fabric and planks

Show increasing control in using equipment for climbing, scrambling, sliding and swinging

Demonstrate increasing skill and control in the use of mark-making implements, blocks, construction sets and 'small world' activities

Understand that equipment and tools have to used safely

Use increasing control over an object by touching, pushing, patting, throwing, catching or kicking it

Retrieve, collect and catch objects

Explore malleable materials by patting, stroking, poking, squeezing, pinching and twisting them

Manipulate materials to achieve a planned effect

Use simple tools to effect changes to the materials

Show understanding of how to transport and store equipment safely

Practice some appropriate safety measures without direct supervision

Recognise the importance of keeping healthy and those things which contribute to this

Recognise the changes that happen to their bodies when they are active