10 Easy Ways Adults Can Help Kids Develop Physical Literacy

From ages 0–6 years, children need to be introduced to unstructured active play that incorporates a variety of body movements. Children this age need to develop the ABCs of movement – Agility, Balance, Coordination and Speed. The ABCs are essential for developing fundamental movement skills, and fundamental movement skills will later provide the foundation for fundamental sport skills. Together, fundamental movement skills and fundamental sport skills form the basis of physical literacy.

An early active start enhances development of brain function, physical coordination, gross motor skills, and posture and balance. An active start also helps children to build confidence, social skills, emotional control, and imagination while reducing stress and improving sleep.

Helping Children Play: The Adult Role

Parents and caregivers play a huge role in their child’s physical literacy development. Not only do they provide opportunities for children to play in safe, stimulating environments, they also expose children to new skills. It’s important to be a positive, active role model, but to also let the child take charge at times. Early childhood is when children learn by doing. They can only learn “to do” if they have the opportunity for active play. Parents and caregivers can help children play in a number of ways:

Set the Stage: This means ensuring a safe play space and safe toys for the child.

Give them Space: Children need enough space to run around. Even when there isn’t much indoor space, pushing back the furniture to make room often works. This signals that it’s “time to play”.

Use Markings: A simple and cheap way to increase a child’s physical activity is to put markings on the floor. These can be chalk markings on the pavement, or masking tape on the carpet. Straight lines, squiggles or squares all work well. The children see the markings, and spend time walking along them, jumping over them and using them as part of their games.

Provide Toys and Equipment: Simple, basic equipment is often best. A few balls, a plastic bat or hockey stick, and a wheeled toy are more than enough. Cardboard boxes also work. Introduce toys that children can push and pull. Bright colours help, but aren’t necessary. It’s often better to put out a few toys, and change them every day, than to put everything out all of the time.

Join in the Play: Being active with children and having fun with them is crucial!

Be a Retriever: Children learn with practice – if they are kicking a ball, get it back to them.

Don't Shy Away from Repetition: Children love repetition. Be prepared to play the same thing repeatedly.

Chase and be Chased: Take turns with children, chasing them and letting them chase (and catch) you. Learning to take turns is an important social skill best learned through physical play.

Leave them Alone: When the child is really engaged in play on their own, let them be. Play doesn’t always have to be adult directed.

Actively Supervise: Stay close by, pay close attention and anticipate risks.

Read more about giving your kids an Active Start on Canadian Sport For Life.