Sport Council

Fundamental Movement Skills

and how they develop through play

an excerpt of an post originally published on lethbridgeplays.ca by Shawn Daye-Finley

When you hear the term literacy, do you think of the ability to read and write? The word ‘literacy’ can also describe other skills. The Australia Sports Commission defines physical literacy as building the skills, knowledge and behaviors that give us the confidence and motivation to lead active lives.

Being physically literate is a fluid concept. You may have heard the term “fundamental movement skills” (FMS). FMS are basic movements associated with physical activity. Your knowledge of them is a measure of your physical competencies. The most common fundamental movement skills include balance, running, jumping, throwing, catching, skipping, and hopping. Fundamental movement skills can be combined into progressions. This results in complex movements like swimming. Almost every skill seen in sports links back to one or more FMS.

There are many debatable movements listed as fundamental. Though swimming is on Through play, children gain physical abilities that start a domino effect. Play develops confidence in movement, motivation to stay active, and understanding of the value of physical activity. Simply, children who play grow up happier and healthier. The Lethbridge Roving Gyms program helps preschool aged children learn fundamental movements in a free and fun setting. At Roving Gyms, children engage in open free play using equipment designed for specific skill building. The equipment promotes movement and the roving locations provide space for families to connect.

Read the full article on the Lethbridge Plays website www.lethbridgeplays.ca

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