Competency, Focus of Development, and Key Features QPCP p.15
Description of the area of development
“This area includes the development of motor skills and healthy lifestyle habits. Physical and motor development is essential to every aspect of child development, but especially to gross motor skills. It refers to the development of physical abilities or motor and perceptual skills, and is influenced by a child’s personal characteristics such as growth, maturity, physical health and living environment. When exposed to different opportunities to be active, children gradually become aware of the positive effects of movement and the influence of lifestyle on health. Healthy lifestyle habits include openness to, curiosity about and willingness to try different foods, as well as awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and aspects of prevention and safety.” QPCP p.18
Connections to Executive Functions
- Inhibition: controlling spontaneous physical reactions; games requiring stopping & starting
- Flexible thinking: stop playing to go to the bathroom
- Working Memory: remembering how to move their body to use a hula hoop
- Planning: gathering materials to paint or make an obstacle course
Characteristics and Needs of Children QPCP p.19
End-of-preschool outcomes
“The children demonstrate ease of movement and, with maturity and experience, they are also able to increasingly refine their movements. They become more aware of their physical and motor potential and skills. They adapt their actions to their physical and social environment and can apply health and safety rules.” QPCP p.18