Helping under-5s live active and healthy lives
Practical ideas for physical activities to help with babies and young children's physical development
Age groups
Babies
This section provides activities to develop core skills among babies aged 0-18 months along with information on the skills we would expect to see emerging at this age.
Toddlers
Activities in the Toddler section are suitable for children aged 18 – 36 months. Some children might be ready to move to the preschool section sooner or later, dependent on their level of development.
Preschoolers
Activities within the Preschool section are typically suitable for children aged 3 years – reception age, although skills and activities in the younger age groups may still need to be reinforced.
About physical development
Physical development (PD) is the growth and development of both the brain and body in infancy and early childhood. This website has been designed alongside early years practitioners to help you understand and feel confident in providing physical development opportunities to children in your setting or at home.
About EarlyMovers
EarlyMovers is a website designed to help early years practitioners and parents of young children to find practical ideas for physically active play. The website was created by the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM)at Loughborough University, in collaboration with experts in child development, including staff at Loughborough University Nursery. It contains information on the core skills that children develop as they grow, as well as ideas for play activities that can develop those skills.
About NEYASP
In March 2023, the National Early Years Active Start Partnership (NEYASP) was established to address pressing issues surrounding physical development and inactivity in young children, particularly in a post-pandemic society. This partnership brings together organisations and individuals with extensive experience and expertise in early years physical development, physical education and movement play to create a cohesive and united front to tackle these challenges head-on.
