13.4: Introducing the Foundations

The preschool learning foundations for physical development are organized in terms of three broad categories or strands:

• Fundamental Movement Skills
• Perceptual–Motor Skills and Movement Concepts
• Active Physical Play^[1]

The first strand is Fundamental Movement Skills. Most preschool children can acquire reasonable levels of competence in a wide range of movement activities, including balance, locomotor skills, and manipulative skills (both gross motor and fine motor), when given opportunities for instruction and practice in an enriched environment. The second strand is Perceptual-Motor Skills and Movement Concepts. This strand focuses on the development of body awareness, spatial awareness, and directional awareness. These skills are important for interacting with others and for exploring the environment. The third strand is Active Physical Play. Active physical play promotes children’s health and physical fitness by increasing their levels of active participation, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility.^[2]

The specific foundations are included later in the chapter as each strand is explored. They include what children should be able to do when in high quality early childhood program at around 48 months and at around 60 months (which roughly corresponds to the end of the first year and the end of second year of preschool).^[3]