Fundamental movement skills for 2–5 year olds: a simple checklist for parents and kaiako

Quick answer: Fundamental movement skills are the basic movements children build everything else on. They fall into three groups: balance (standing on one foot, walking a line), moving (running, jumping, hopping, galloping) and ball skills (throwing, catching, kicking). Between 2 and 5, tamariki learn them through everyday play, and a few minutes of playful practice most days makes a real difference.

Kia ora, I'm Polley. I've spent more than 20 years teaching in early childhood and primary classrooms, and the question I hear most from parents and kaiako is some version of "Is this normal?" This guide is my answer: what these skills are, roughly what to expect, and simple games that help.

## What are fundamental movement skills?

Think of them as the alphabet of movement. Once a child has the letters, they can put them together into "words" like playing tag, climbing a tree, riding a bike or joining a team.

- Balance (stability) skills: standing still on one foot, balancing on a line or low beam, twisting, bending, landing safely.

- Moving (locomotor) skills: walking, running, jumping with two feet, hopping on one foot, galloping, skipping, climbing.

- Ball (object control) skills: rolling, throwing, catching, kicking, bouncing and striking a ball.

Researchers now argue that balance deserves as much attention as running and throwing, because nearly every other skill depends on it.

## Why do they matter?

Children who feel confident moving join in more. They're more likely to give the playground, the swimming lesson and the game at kindy a go, and that confidence snowballs.

In Aotearoa, our early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki, names this directly: children should "gain confidence in and control of their bodies" and become increasingly capable of "moving confidently and challenging themselves physically."

The Ministry of Health's active play guidelines for under-fives recommend at least three hours of activity every day for toddlers and preschoolers, spread through the day. For preschoolers, at least one hour of that should be energetic play.

## What does it look like at each age?

Every child moves at their own pace, and the range of "normal" is wide. Use this as a rough guide, not a test.

- Around 2: most children run and kick a ball. They're starting to jump with two feet, climb on and off furniture, and throw underarm.

- Around 3: running gets smoother. Many tamariki can jump forward, walk along a line, pedal a trike and stand on one foot for a moment.

- Around 4: most children catch a large ball most of the time. Many are starting to hop, gallop and throw overarm.

- Around 5: most children hop on one foot. Many can balance for longer, jump and land softly, and kick a moving ball.

## A simple checklist: can my child…

Tick what you've seen in the last week or two. Gaps are simply where to play next.

Balance

- ☐ Stand on one foot for a few seconds (each side)

- ☐ Walk along a line or low edge without stepping off

- ☐ Freeze like a statue when the music stops

Moving

- ☐ Jump forward with two feet together and land without falling

- ☐ Hop on one foot (from around 4–5)

- ☐ Gallop, then (later) skip

Ball skills

- ☐ Kick a still ball forward

- ☐ Catch a large ball with two hands

- ☐ Throw a ball towards a target

## Six 10-minute games to try this week

No equipment needed, or just what's already in the house.

1. Flamingo Stand. Stand on one leg like a flamingo and count together. Swap legs. Try it with eyes closed for an extra challenge.

2. Puddle Jumps. Lay cushions or tea towels on the floor as "puddles" and jump from one to the next with two feet together.

3. Bear Walk. Hands and feet on the floor, bottom high, and walk like a bear across the room. Great for strength and coordination.

4. Statue Freeze. Put music on, dance, and freeze when it stops. Hold the shape for five seconds.

5. Horse Gallops. Gallop around the garden with one foot always leading, then swap leading feet.

6. Rolled-sock Throw. Throw rolled-up socks into a washing basket from further and further away.

Little and often beats long sessions. Two or three games a day, a few minutes each, is plenty. If you'd like 40 more ideas, each with an easier and a harder version, that's exactly why we made [Movement Cards](https://www.neuromove.co.nz/resources/p/movement-cards-40-playful-activities-for-ages-25-printable).

## When should I ask for advice?

Most differences are just children developing at their own pace. It's worth talking to your GP, Plunket nurse or a physiotherapist or occupational therapist if:

- your child loses a skill they used to have

- one side of the body seems much weaker or less used than the other

- they fall far more than other children their age, or seem to be in pain when they move

- you have a gut feeling something isn't right.

The B4 School Check is also a good time to raise questions. I work alongside these professionals, never instead of them, and you can also [ask me about a 1:1 session](https://www.neuromove.co.nz/11-sessions).

## Frequently asked questions

### What are the fundamental movement skills?

They are the basic movements that more complex play and sport are built on. They're usually grouped into balance skills (like standing on one foot), moving skills (like running, jumping and hopping) and ball skills (like throwing, catching and kicking).

### At what age can children hop on one foot?

Many children start hopping around age 4, and most can hop on one foot by about age 5. Some get there earlier and some later. Practising balance on one foot first makes hopping easier.

### How can I help my child's movement skills at home without equipment?

Short, playful games most days work best: balancing like a flamingo, jumping between cushions, bear walking, freezing to music and throwing rolled-up socks into a basket. Aim for a few minutes at a time, and follow your child's interest.

### How much physical activity do under-fives need in New Zealand?

The Ministry of Health recommends at least three hours of activity a day for toddlers and preschoolers, spread throughout the day, with at least one hour of energetic play for preschoolers.

### Do movement skills really matter for school?

Confident movers tend to join in more in play and sport, and movement is part of New Zealand's early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki. Movement skills are one piece of a bigger picture. They're not a test children pass or fail.

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Want 16 more games? [Download our free activity guide](https://www.neuromove.co.nz/free-activity-guide) of movement games for 2–5 year olds. It's free, and there's no equipment to buy.

Written by Polley (Robyn Polley), founder of NeuroMove. Polley has more than 20 years' experience in early childhood and primary teaching and an MSc in Sport & Exercise Science (Human Development). This article is general information, not a diagnosis. [Meet Polley](https://www.neuromove.co.nz/meet-polley).

Sources

- Ministry of Health (2017). [Sit Less, Move More, Sleep Well: Active play guidelines for under-fives](https://health.govt.nz/system/files/2017-05/active-play-guidelines-for-under-fives-may17.pdf)

- Ministry of Education. [Te Whāriki: Mana aotūroa | Exploration](https://tewhariki.tahurangi.education.govt.nz/mana-aot-roa-exploration---strand-5/5637176831.p)

- CDC. Developmental milestones at [2](https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/2-years.html), [4](https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/4-years.html) and [5 years](https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/5-years.html)

- Rudd et al. (2015). [Fundamental movement skills are more than run, throw and catch: the role of stability skills](https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/5368/)