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Supporting physical development in early childhood
Supporting physical development in early childhood

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5 Special educational needs and disability

Some children with special educational needs may require support to encourage them or enable them to take part in physical activity.

Such support may include adapting an activity to make it more inclusive.

A child being supported in a swimming pool by an adult
Figure 5

In February 2022, for the first time, government guidance was published outlining the importance of providing physical activity opportunities for children with disabilities and special educational needs (Department of Health and Social Care, 2022).

Children with special educational needs may benefit from having adult support when taking part in physical activities to ensure safety and promote confidence. The following sections look at how you can support children with special educational needs and disabilities to still live a physically active life.