In this episode of Early Years Together, hosts Deborah Brown and Dr Jacqueline Young explore the vital role of fine motor development and pre-writing skills in early childhood. Drawing on research and practical early years practice, they discuss how children build the physical foundations needed for future writing through play, movement, and everyday experiences.

Key Takeaway: Fine motor development is a journey, not a race. Children benefit most when they are given rich, playful opportunities to strengthen muscles, develop coordination, and build the neural pathways that support future writing. Rather than focusing too early on letter formation, practitioners and families can nurture writing readiness through meaningful play and everyday experiences.

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Episode Six References:

Department for Education (2026) Fine motor skills. Help for Early Years Providers. Available at: https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/areas-of-learning/physical-development/fine-motor-skills

Hosts:

Deborah Brown www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-brown79

Dr Jacqueline Young www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacqueline-young

Mixing Engineer:

Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer

Title music by:

Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer

In this episode of Early Years Together, Dr Jacqueline Young and Deborah Brown explore the importance of core strength, coordination and gross motor development in the early years. They discuss how physical development underpins children's learning, communication, confidence and independence, while sharing practical strategies that practitioners and parents can use to support children's development through play.

Don't forget to join us next time when we'll be discussing fine motor development and pre handwriting skills.

Episode Five References:

Department for Education (2024) Best start in life: a research review for early years. Part 2: The 3 prime areas of learning. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/best-start-in-life-a-research-review-for-early-years/best-start-in-life-part-2-the-3-prime-areas-of-learning#physical-development

Department for Education (n.d.) Core strength and co-ordination. Help for Early Years Providers. Available at: https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/areas-of-learning/physical-development/core-strength-and-co-ordination

NHS (n.d.) Physical activity guidelines for children under 5 years. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-children-under-five-years/

Hosts:

Deborah Brown www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-brown79

Dr Jacqueline Young www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacqueline-young

Mixing Engineer:

Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer

Title music by:

Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer

In this episode of Early Years Together, Deborah Brown and Dr Jacqueline Young explore the important role that toilet training and self-care routines play in children's physical development, wellbeing, and independence. While physical development is often associated with running, climbing, and other large movements, self-care routines such as toileting, handwashing, dressing, toothbrushing, and feeding are equally significant learning experiences.

The episode highlights how physical development extends beyond gross motor skills to include children's ability to care for their bodies and manage everyday routines independently. They also explore practical ways practitioners can promote independence through modelling, visual prompts and allowing children sufficient time to practise self-care tasks without rushing to complete them on the child's behalf.

Throughout the discussion, listeners are encouraged to view everyday routines as meaningful learning opportunities rather than simply tasks to be completed. The hosts highlight how dressing, toothbrushing and mealtimes support fine and gross motor development, decision-making, resilience and self-esteem. The episode concludes by reminding practitioners that children develop these skills at different rates and that patient support, positive relationships and strong partnerships with families are key to helping children become confident, independent and capable in caring for themselves.

Don't forget to join us next time when we'll be discussing Core strength, Coordination and Gross Motor Development.

Episode Four References:

Department for Education (2026) Toilet Training. Help for Early Years Providers. Available at: https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/toilet-training

ERIC, The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity (n.d.) Potty training: how to start & best age to potty train. Available at: https://eric.org.uk/potty-training/

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (2025) National Dental Epidemiology Programme (NDEP) for England: oral health survey of 5 year old schoolchildren 2024. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/oral-health-survey-of-5-year-old-schoolchildren-2024/national-dental-epidemiology-programme-ndep-for-england-oral-health-survey-of-5-year-old-schoolchildren-2024

Hosts:

Deborah Brown www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-brown79

Dr Jacqueline Young www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacqueline-young

Mixing Engineer:

Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer

Title music by:

Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer