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Here are some suggestions for developing children's movement skills, whether you work in a nursery or in a domestic setting: Don't push too hard. Let each child go at her own speed, at her own rate of development. Resist the temptation to push too hard in the hope of promoting her physical abilities. The child's confidence may drop very quickly if she thinks that she does not live up to your expectations of her. Provide opportunities. She needs to have lots of experiences that enable her to practise and improve her physical skills, and it's up to you to provide these play opportunities for her at home or in the nursery. Let her roam about under your supervision, and put out plenty of large play equipment.

Provide opportunities. She needs to have lots of experiences that enable her to practise and improve her physical skills, and it's up to you to provide these play opportunities for her at home or in the nursery. Let her roam about under your supervision, and put out plenty of large play equipment.

Reassure her. She may burst into tears when she realises, for example, that she can't quite manage to the top of the ladders attached to the slide or that she trips a lot when the ground is uneven. Give her lots of comfort and reassurance when such instances occur - and then encourage her to try again. A small success boosts her confidence.

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Early Years Educator

Munich (Landkreis), Bayern (DE)

Nursery Education Officer

Hackney, London (Greater)

Deputy Manager

Streatham Hill, London (Greater)