Let's Move
Physical activity has always been a natural part of daily life, but modern routines often involve far less movement, so we need to be intentional about keeping tamariki active. Active movement supports healthy growth by strengthening the body and brain, improving learning, relaxation, coordination, speech, language, and social skills. When children experience the joy of moving and develop key movement skills early, they gain confidence and are more likely to stay active throughout life.
Te Whāriki
Kotahitanga | Holistic development - Holistic learning can be encouraged through recognising that being physically active affects our wider wellbeing and others around us, exploring science concepts and establishing routines around active movement.
Ngā hononga | Relationships - Learning about physical activity and injury prevention through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places, and things in the ELS through organised play and structures games.
Handy Actions are ideas, activities and initiatives that your Early Learning Service could implement relating to the topic of physical activity. You could use the list as inspiration or as a checklist to assess what your ELS is currently doing towards 'Let's Move' and decide what other ideas could be implemented. Choose actions that suit your service, your community, and where you are at. You don’t need to do everything; these are ideas.
He Pou Oranga Tangata Whenua
Here are some examples of how the pathways of wellbeing can be interwoven into this Block:
Encouraging self-help skills and taking ownership of their wellbeing enhances the mana and self-determination (rangatiratanga) of tamariki as well as developing and growing their skills, knowledge and attitudes (pūkengatanga).
Recognising mātauranga Māori knowledge and skills and traditional movement techniques is a way of preserving tangata whenua knowledge (kaitiakitanga).
Interactive play through active movement is one way to show respect and kindness to others (manaakitanga) and demonstrate a unity and solidarity (kotahitanga) to developing fundamental movement skills and knowledge.
Supporting information and evidence
Physical activity, good sleep, and reduced screen time also help protect against obesity. Safe environments are essential, but some level of risky play is important too, helping tamariki build resilience, problem‑solving skills, and an understanding of their own limits. Early learning services can nurture active, confident learners by offering a wide range of culturally connected, play‑based physical experiences—both structured and spontaneous—and by role modelling active lifestyles.
Traditional activities such as waiata, kapa haka, poi, tītī tōrea, tī rākau, and local hīkoi provide rich opportunities for movement, identity, and learning. Inclusive play and environments recognise the diverse ways tamariki move, sense, and communicate, ensuring every child can participate confidently through environments designed to be accessible for all.
Key Messages
- Active free play supports creativity, problem‑solving, language development, imagination, and resilience.
- Early physical activity helps tamariki build strong foundational movement skills before specialising in any sport or activity.
- Inclusive play environments ensure tamariki of all abilities and neurotypes can participate meaningfully, supporting confidence, social connection, and a strong sense of belonging.
- Providing multiple ways to move, explore, and communicate allows neurodiverse and disabled tamariki to engage in physical activity in ways that align with their strengths, sensory needs, and preferred learning styles.
- Muscle development progresses from head to toe and from core to limbs, so large muscle control must develop before fine motor skills like handwriting.
- Tamariki need opportunities to develop:
- Stability and balance
- Locomotor skills (crawling, climbing, jumping, hopping, skipping) that support brain development for planning, coordination, and movement execution.
- Manipulation skills (throwing, catching, carrying, striking, rolling) that build coordination, timing, tracking, and balance, supporting reading, writing, rhythm, and depth perception.
- The vestibular system develops through movement experiences such as rocking, rolling, swinging, spinning, being upside‑down, and balancing.
- Floor time is essential for babies and toddlers:
- Tummy time strengthens neck, back, arm, and leg muscles.
- Crawling supports communication pathways between both sides of the brain.
Facts
- A baby’s brain grows from 15% developed at birth to 85% by age three, and movement helps build essential pathways for learning, creativity, and lifelong thinking.
- Positive early movement experiences shape how children move and learn throughout their lives; more pathways mean more efficient brain function.
- Falls/slips are among four of the leading causes of child injury requiring hospitalization. Over 60% of injuries in tamariki under five occur in the home, with half linked to structural issues such as uneven or slippery surfaces.
