Why Movement Matters for Children

Movement: the engine of healthy growth

Running around, skipping freely, playing tag – it may look like simple fun, but movement is incredibly valuable for children. It is the driving force behind healthy growth.

Physically, regular and varied movement helps children develop strong bones and muscles. It improves fitness and motor skills, making children more flexible and coordinated. Movement also gives the immune system a boost.

Building connections in the brain

Movement benefits not only the body but also the brain. You can think of the brain as a network of roads. Every time a child moves, existing connections are strengthened and new ones are created. The better these connections are developed, the easier it becomes for children to think, process information, manage stimuli and concentrate on tasks such as reading or problem-solving.

Stronger mentally

Being active from a young age also helps children learn important life skills, such as coping with winning and losing, working together and persevering. This strengthens their resilience and often boosts self-confidence. Children also become more social through movement, as they learn to play together, take turns and follow rules. Movement truly plays a vital role in overall development.

Wiggling helps thinking

Children need movement to activate their brains – some more than others. Fidgeting, wiggling or moving around can actually help them think and concentrate better. We often expect children to sit still, but if your child finds this difficult, try to build in opportunities to move during longer seated activities. Alternate sitting with movement. On rainy days, for example, you could create an indoor obstacle course or have a mini dance party at home.

From little to bigger

Would you like to encourage your child to be more active at home? Here are some ideas for different ages:

Baby

• Tummy time: place your baby on their tummy regularly to encourage rolling, crawling and pushing up.
• Place a toy slightly out of reach to stimulate curiosity and movement.
• Spend time outdoors together. Feel the grass beneath your feet, look at the trees, or play with a soft beach ball.

Toddler (1–2 years)

• Use a mattress or large cushion for climbing and rolling.
• Create a crawling course using boxes, sheets, hoops and cushions.
• Play simple hide-and-seek games, even just at home or in front of the house.
• On warm days, water play provides extra fun. Let your child fill cups with water and pour them into a bucket, or explore and play with a small water table.

Pre-School children (2-4 years)

• Dance together! Dancing supports motor, cognitive and social-emotional development.
• Throw a rolled-up sock or shirt instead of a ball – who can get everything into the laundry basket first?
• Balance on one leg with eyes closed – who lasts the longest?
• Instead of throwing a ball, use rolled-up socks or sponges. Who can get everything into the bucket first?
• Turn on the sprinkler and run, jump or dance through the water.

School-aged children

• Play hide-and-seek indoors – just as fun as outside.
• Turn your living room into an indoor play zone with cushions, blankets and soft toys.
• Hang a small basketball hoop on the door and play a game with soft balls.
• Cool off together with a swim or visit a water play area.
• Organise a sponge race or set up games with buckets of water for some active water-filled fun.

Extra Tip: On warm days, it's best to plan active outdoor play in the morning or later in the afternoon, when temperatures are a little cooler. And don't forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated!