Learning & Development: Physical Education - On balance

As evidence continues to emerge that our society is becoming less physically active, the importance of young children's physical activity and movement development is receiving more attention than ever. National curriculum guidelines around the world increasingly recognise the role of the physical in young children's learning. Progress, however, seems to be inconsistent. With physical activity and movement such regular features of children's daily lives, both seem to be aspects of learning that are often taken for granted. This is particularly true in the case of children's movement development, which many still believe 'just develops' as children mature and grow older.

Human movement is complex. With their bodies made up of so many bones, joints and muscles, children have the potential to make thousands of different movements on the spot or as they travel. They can make their bodies and their body parts move in different directions, at different speeds and at different levels and, in relation to objects or people. For young children, whose developing bodies have different proportions and characteristics from their adult counterparts, exploring these movement possibilities can be intriguing, frustrating and compelling.