CHILDREN AND ACTIVE MOVEMENT - WALKING AND LOCOMOTOR SKILLS

What are locomotor skills and why are they important?
Locomotor skills include activities like walking, running, jumping, hopping and skipping - it involves moving the body from one location to another. Locomotor skills are important as they help children to build their confidence and competence, both in sport and in relation to their general feelings about their body. Basic locomotor skills also allow children to master other sports and activities.
Why are we seeing a decline in these sorts of skills?
Children learn when they practice or experience something for themselves, and we as parents are not building in enough opportunities for our kids to explore and practice locomotor skills. We don't tend to let our children take as many risks as we did in previous generations.
What things can you do to help children develop locomotor skills?
There are lots of ways to encourage children to develop their skill. Making games of simple activities can make them fun and enjoyable as well as develop skills. For example, at home you might ask your child if they can run and get their shoes on as quick as they can. Or outside while walking you might ask your child to see how fast it takes them to get to the next lamppost. Games are a great way to get children to learn while also having fun. Games also allow children to learn about cooperation, competition, relationships and the meaning of success when they master something.
How can you encourage children who are not keen to participate in activities that develop locomotor skills?
Many parents will identify with this. Children learn when they are ready and interested so it should be about making it fun. Children learn skills at different ages and times and they progress at their own rate. It's best to provide activities and experiences where children can explore and discover things for themselves, whatever their age and level. Encourage your children by being positive and enthusiastic and focus on participation and praise. Select developmentally appropriate activities and modify games to their skill level, don't expect too much from them.
How do children learn movement skills?
Children learn movement skills in a progressive order, for example from walking and hopping to skipping. Development usually begins with the head and upper body and then the feet. For example a baby will learn to push up with their arms and raise their head before they learn to crawl. Children also develop control over their body from the centre to more distant parts like feet and hands. They develop skills like throwing before they develop fine motor skills like handwriting. Fundamental movement skill development is related to but doesn't depend on age and experience, children learn holistically.
What about ordinary activities like walking?
Walking with children encourages conversation and it provides an opportunity to talk about your surroundings and your environment. For example, while you're walking with your child you can talk about anything from numbers, the colour of houses and letterboxes to the weather and the clouds. With older children you can talk about more complex ideas for example, how fast you're going or how many kilometres you've walked.
What other activities can you do to encourage locomotor skills?
Hopping, jumping and later on skipping. Classic games like tag and statues all help develop good locomotor skills.