All Modules B6-Development Matters in the early years | Page 27

Playing and Exploring, Active Learning, and Creating and Thinking Critically support children’s learning across all areas

4 Physical Development: Health and self-care
Positive Relationships:
what adults could do

103. Feeds self competently with spoon.
104. Drinks well without spilling.
105. Clearly communicates their need for potty or toilet.
106. Beginning to recognize danger and seeks support
of significant adults for help.
107. Helps with clothing, e.g. puts on hat, unzips zipper on
jacket, takes off unbuttoned shirt.
22-36 months 108. • Beginning to be independent in self-care, but still often
needs adult support.
109. Participates in bath routines, helping during all parts of
the process
110. Feeds themselves without help
111. Has a rest routine and participates in setting up their
bedtime
112. Brush their teeth with some help from the adults
113. Able to tell difference among many sounds and words
114. Cooperates when being checked at the doctor
115. Has calm and rest periods as well as active ones
116. Enjoys in and outside play
117. Explores equipment in the playground

• Respond to how child communicates need for food,
drinks, toileting and when uncomfortable.
• Support parents’ routines with young children’s toileting
by having flexible routines and by encouraging children’s
efforts at independence.
• Support children’s growing independence as they do
things for themselves, such as pulling up their pants after
toileting, recognizing differing parental expectations.
• Involve young children in preparing food.
• Give children the chance to talk about what they like to
eat, while reinforcing messages about healthier choices.
• Remember that children who have limited opportunity to
play outdoors may lack a sense of danger.
• Visit a pediatrician often and check child’s general
health consistently
• Check that oral, visual and auditory abilities are
developing within range
• Take child to visual and oral exams

118. Can tell adults when hungry or tired or when they want to
rest or play.
119. Observes the effects of activity on their bodies.
120. Understands that equipment and tools have to be used
safely.
121. Gains more bowel and bladder control and can attend
to toileting needs most of the time themselves.
30-50 months 122. Can usually manage washing and drying hands.
123. • Dresses with help, e.g. puts arms into open-fronted coat
or shirt when held up, pulls up own trousers, and pulls up
zipper once it is fastened at the bottom.
124. Uses helmet when riding bikes
125. Follows basic safety rules
126. Participates in emergency drills
127. Informs adults when in danger or when someone is
having dangerous behaviors
128. Eats a wide variety of foods and is aware of nutritional
needs and food groups
129. Has good general health and is aware of its importasnce

• Talk with children about why you encourage them to rest
when they are tired or why they need to wear wellingtons
when it is muddy outdoors.
• Encourage children to notice the changes in their bodies
after exercise, such as their heart beating faster.
• Talk with children about the importance of hand-washing.
• Help children who are struggling with self-care by leaving
a last small step for them to complete, e.g. pulling up their
trousers from just below the waist.

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Enabling Environments:
what adults could provide
• Allow children to pour their own drinks, serve their own
food, choose a story, hold a puppet or water a plant.
• Offer choices for children in terms of potties, trainer
seats or steps.
• Create opportun