From practice to progress: Do children need to be taught movement skills?

This article and podcast episode explore how young children develop Fundamental Movement Skills through repeated, varied experiences and attuned adult guidance. Dr Leanne Jaye highlights the balance between structured support and child‑led exploration, the impact of movement on confidence, communication and social connection, and the crucial role practitioners and caregivers play in shaping high‑quality, enjoyable movement opportunities.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/from-practice-to-progress-do-children-need-to-be-taught-movement-skills/

This episode is in partnership with BookedIn.

BookedIn is the CPD booking platform that connects organisations with verified speakers, trainers and consultants – so you can find the right fit faster, based on your brief, audience and outcomes.

To find out more visit: https://waitlist.bookedin.online/

Our 2027 conference info & tickets:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2027/

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

· Fostering a love of movement for life, by Josh Candy: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/fostering-a-love-of-movement-for-life/

· Physical development frameworks, by Dr Lala Manners: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/physical-development-frameworks/

· 'My child can't write yet': The foundations of early writing, by Helen Battelley: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/my-child-cant-write-yet-the-foundations-of-early-writing/

Get in touch and share your voice:

Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/

Episode break down:

00:00 - Welcome

01:35 - Introducing Dr Leanne Jaye

03:09 - Do children pick up movement skills naturally?

05:26 - What are fundamental movement skills?

06:56 - Why movement needs greater attention in educator training

08:49 - Recognising when movement skills need support

11:48 - Unequal opportunities for movement development

15:12 - Looking at how children move, not just whether they move

17:36 - Making movement part of the whole day

19:04 - Repetition, practice and brain development

21:16 - Building children's movement vocabulary

25:39 - Keeping repetition playful through stories and games

28:48 - How environments shape movement opportunities

31:47 - Creating movement opportunities in smaller indoor spaces

34:30 - What to notice when observing children's movement

38:47 - Teaching movement: everyday practice and specialist support

41:27 - Educators as movement role models

43:40 - Bringing movement into other areas of learning

46:13 - Supporting independence without stepping in too quickly

50:49 - Final reflections: integrating movement across learning

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com