One Step At a Time: Helping Young Children Be Active!
   

Motor Skill Development to Promote Physical Activity

Children DancingAll children should be physically active every day. During childhood, young children begin to develop motor skills, like:

  • Walking
  • Kicking
  • Catching
  • Running
  • Jumping
  • Galloping
  • Hopping
  • Skipping
  • Throwing
Watch Zach share fun musical workouts for young children.

Children need a chance to practice motor skills to enjoy physically activity. Simple games like follow the leader, Simon says, chase, and tag are good ones for them to play. Classes and sports for young children like tumbling, dancing, or t-ball are also good. All activities need to fit children’s abilities and be fun.

Children under age 7 have not fully developed hand-eye coordination or balance. They should do activities on flat surfaces. The activities should be simple, with only a few directions.

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