Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) are an important and consistent aspect of your child’s development. They are the building blocks for movement and are used in common sports and active recreation. FMS help children to develop a relationship with physical activity.   

What are the specific skills?  

As your child grows and moves across different year levels, their skills will become more advanced. However, each year, the base of the skills will be from the following 12 fundamental movement skills for kids.  

1. Static balance  

2. Sprint run  

3. Vertical jump  

4. Catch  

5. Hop  

6. Side gallop  

7. Skip  

8. Overarm throw  

9. Leap  

10. Kick   

11. Two-hand Strike  

12. Dodge   

As your child starts to attend school, they will take part in regular Personal Development, Health, and Physical Education (PDHPE) classes. In these classes, teachers will help your child in developing their FMS alongside their peers. While some children can pick up skills in class alone, it is good to help your child practice these skills at home, at a park or with friends. The Physical Literacy Checklist by Active for Life is a great tool to see which skill your child may need more help with  

Active for Life has helped by creating a list of fun activities to help kids develop their FMS throughout their childhood. Including activities like: 

• Balloon Soccer 

• Basket Catch 

• Kangaroo Hopping 

Be sure to check out so many more activities with helpful tips and instructions on how to do them at home at Active for Life Activities for Kids

Why are these skills so important?  

Your child’s fundamental movement skills change as they grow. Children will not learn these skills naturally, so they need to be taught and practiced over time by encouraging physical activity at home and playing games that include some or all these skills. When children know how to do these skills, they are more likely to participate in physical activity and games, especially as they get older.   

Source: Active for Life