[hlnx1]

Fundamental movement skills are the building blocks of most sports: running, jumping, hopping, throwing, catching, kicking, balancing and so on. Childhood is a good time to develop them broadly.

What the research and youth development frameworks broadly agree on:

• They are often grouped into locomotor skills (running, skipping, jumping), object control (throwing, catching, kicking) and stability or balance skills
• These skills do not develop fully just by growing up; they need practice and some teaching
• Better motor competence in childhood is associated with higher physical activity later on
• A wide variety of games and sports tends to build a broader base than early repetition of one sport

Youth development reading: youth development and training science.

What games or activities do you use to build these skills with children?

[hlnx1]

A simple session structure for 6-9 year olds: 10 minutes of tag-style running games, 10 minutes of throwing and catching with different balls, 10 minutes of balance and jumping challenges, and a small-sided game to finish.

Keep it playful, with lots of turns per child and little standing in queues.

[Author]

Posts