--- title: "Pre-School-Physical Development-P.E-Gross motor" url: "https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2026-01-20-pre-school-physical-development-p-e-gross-motor" school: "Darwen St James’ C of E Primary Academy" --- # Pre-School-Physical Development-P.E-Gross motor ![](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/news/4587f75b-3d3c-43e9-838e-2d8723400dd3(2).jpg) 20 January 2026 ![](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/images/news/4587f75b-3d3c-43e9-838e-2d8723400dd3.jpg) Our Preschoolers had a blast in P.E. last week! We’ve been working hard on our **gross motor skills** using the parachute and a ball. We started with a round of "Popcorn Pop"—everyone held the edge and worked together to make the ball bounce high and low like a kernel of corn! Then, we tested our reflexes with "Cat and Mouse," where one child sat in the middle trying to catch the ball as the rest of the group used the parachute to keep it moving. Lots of giggles and great teamwork all around! ???? \#PreschoolPE #GrossMotorSkills #ActiveLearning #Teamwork #EarlyYears [Early Years Foundation Stage](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/early-years-foundation-stage) [PE](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/pe) [Pre School](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/pre-school) [![](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/100x100c/news/4363685e-8fda-40a9-9591-f3030eeb0bc6.jpg)](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2026-01-19-nursery-literacy-story-props) Previous ### [Nursery - Literacy - Story Props](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2026-01-19-nursery-literacy-story-props) [![](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/100x100c/news/18a88c08-f347-44dc-add0-4d1d10ab98c5.jpg)](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2026-01-21-year-3-p-e-dancing-like-machines) Next ### [Year 3 - P.E. - Dancing Like Machines](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2026-01-21-year-3-p-e-dancing-like-machines) ### Academy Life - [News](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news) - [Events](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/events) - [Clubs](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/basc) - [School Council](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/school-council) - [Attendance](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/attendance) - [Charities and Fundrasing](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/charities-and-fundraising) - ![School Games Gold](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/Gold_Logo_25-26(1).png) - ![Healthy school](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/healthy_school.png) - ![Picture News](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/6_Years_of_Picture_News.png) - ![AP smilestar](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/Screenshot_2026-07-27_10.26.27.png) ##### Location St James Crescent Darwen Lancashire BB3 0EY ##### Contact Us 01254 703260 ##### Stay Connected - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Darwenstjames) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/darwenstjames/) © Copyright 2021–2026 Darwen St James’ C of E Primary Academy School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)