Moving to Grow: Why Movement and Play Matter for Your Child’s Development

Ever wonder why your child seems constantly in motion? Kids are naturally wired to move—some can barely sit still! And that’s a good thing. That natural urge to move isn’t just about burning energy—it’s your child’s brain and body working together for essential neurological development and mood regulation. Let’s explore why movement matters so much for your little one’s growth.

The Natural Need to Move

When children move and play actively, they’re actually building their brain’s foundation. Here’s what’s happening:

• Their brain uses resistance to gravity during active play for primary stimulation
• Early physical activity helps integrate primitive reflexes
• Movement creates the building blocks for motor coordination
• Active play develops crucial self-regulation skills

Daily Movement: Essential for Growth

Children need several hours of physical play each day. Here’s what movement provides:

Physical Benefits:

• Builds strength and coordination
• Enhances balance
• Develops body awareness
• Improves overall fitness

Emotional Benefits:

• Helps manage big feelings
• Decreases stress and anxiety
• Regulates mood
• Improves transitions between activities

Social Benefits:

• Active games teach important skills such as taking turns, compromise and working together
• Fosters good imitation skills
• Imaginary play promotes creativity
• Unstructured play encourages problem solving skills

Neurological Benefits:

• Enhances focus
• Builds executive function skills
• Improves impulse control
• Supports learning readiness
• Fosters primitive reflex integration and improves righting reactions for core stability
• Calms the nervous system
• Improves sensory processing

Cognitive Benefits:

• Enhances focus, mental alertness and memory
• Supports learning readiness

The Power of Unstructured Play

Free play isn’t just fun—it’s fundamental. When children engage in unstructured play, they:

• Build independence
• Learn to take safe risks
• Develop problem-solving skills
• Use their imagination
• Create their own learning experiences

Making Movement a Family Priority

Here’s how you can support your child’s need to move:

1. Schedule daily outdoor time
2. Limit long periods of sitting
3. Create safe spaces for active play
4. Join in physical activities together
5. Value unstructured play time
6. Reduce screen time
7. Support natural opportunities to move
8. Integrate movement breaks into daily schedule

Remember

Movement isn’t just about physical activity—it’s about building a foundation for lifelong learning and development. When we understand and support our children’s natural need to move, we’re investing in their future success.

Every skip, jump, and twirl helps your child build strong foundation skills crucial for development. By prioritizing movement and play, you’re giving your child the tools they need to control their emotions and behavior, as well as obtain the building blocks they need for physical, emotional, social and cognitive growth.

Let’s get moving together!

Looking for more ways to support your child’s development through movement? Check out my blog on The Power of Outdoor Play: Why Nature Time Matters and Movement Activities: Supporting Your Child’s Growth Through Play!

The book  “Balanced and Barefoot” by Angela J. Hanscom also has great insights on movement and outdoor play.