ABSTRACT
This chapter considers sensory and physical development and its importance for overall healthy development. Physical development is often quite narrowly defined as movement, and expenditure of energy, but the redefines the definition as follows: physical activity involves people moving, acting and performing within culturally specific spaces and contexts, and influenced by a unique array of interests, emotions, ideas, instructions and relationships. Risk play should take place in the context of a secure relationship, and the educator should know when the risky play falls outside of the child's zone of development. It is also important to think about risk as per the child's individual abilities. Many children with development differences and conditions can become over- and under-stimulated, but through careful observation, educators should identify when a child might be open to sensory exploration. Educators will often think of self-stimulating behaviours, also to referred to as stimming, as a negative or concerning behaviour.
