DCD is often under diagnosed and often misunderstood. Learn More
Fun Jumping Activities for Kids
When we think about the Health Guidelines for young children, we know that they should be physically active for 3 hours every day – of which one hour should be vigorous activity which gets the child huffing and puffing. What comes to mind is aerobic activity such as running, climbing, cycling – but what is […]
Fine Motor Skill – Scissor Skills
Like all learning – the development of scissor skills is a process which occurs incrementally. Just as you would not expect to give a young child a pencil and expect them to begin writing fluently – the functional use of scissors is the same. The child needs to have achieved a degree of gross motor […]
Climbing Activities for Children: Why are they important?
The adventurous spirit is alive and well in most toddlers and young children. As they find their feet, the whole environment opens up to them and they are keen to explore it – all of it – the safe and the risky. To support this natural curiosity, as responsible adults, it is important that we […]
Physical Activity Ideas For Young Children.
What is Physical Activity? Physical Activity (PA) can be defined as any movement of the body which requires the expenditure of energy. Activities can be moderate and not really cause us to huff and puff such as walking slowly, reaching, balancing, painting at an easel, bending, squatting and playing quietly with toys such as blocks, […]
Risky Play In The Early Years: Opportunities and Obstacles
When was the last time you saw a child climb high up into a tree, speed down a hill in a home-made hill trolley (go-Kart), walk over slippery rocks near the beach/river/lake or wander alone in the bush? Chances are that these were all activities that you experienced as a child – but sadly children […]
Fine Motor Skills Every Pre-schooler Needs
What are fine motor skills? Fine Motor Skills involve the use and coordination of the smaller muscles in the hands, fingers and thumbs. Fine motor skills begin to develop very early in life. You may notice how a baby concentrates to coordinate their forefinger and thumb to pick up a small object – which then […]
Screen Time {+ – / = } Physical Activity – What is the equation?
Professor Leon Straker discusses the impact of electronic gaming on the health of young children.
Crossing The Midline: What is it all about?
What does it mean to cross the midline? Think of an imaginary line extending from the top of your head down the centre of your body. This is the midline – which theoretically separates the left and right side of the body. To be able to cross the midline is a developmental milestone and means […]
Kick it to me…Kick it to me…
Learning the fundamental motor skill of kicking begins in the early years but does not usually mature until the age of 6-7 years. Kicking skills will continue to be refined over the years with practice and coaching. The enjoyment toddlers experience with learning to kick a colourful, bouncy ball is evident with the smiles on […]