Fundamental Movement & Motor Skill Essentials

Role of Movement

  • Physical development: supports healthy joints, strong bones, muscular strength, efficient circulation.
  • Cognitive development: boosts brain function, improving attention, focus, memory.
  • Social development: underpins social interaction, behavior formation, and cognitive–social synergy.

Motor Skills

  • Definition: muscle movements used in daily life; begin at birth, mature into late childhood/early adulthood.
  • 22 Types:
    • Gross Motor Skills: coordination of large muscle groups.
    • Fine Motor Skills: coordination of small muscles.

Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS)

  • Basic gross motor movements fundamental to human activity.
  • Act as building blocks for advanced skills across the lifespan.

Age-Linked FMS Milestones

  • 0−20{-}2 yrs: grasping, rolling over, sitting, crawling, cruising, walking.
  • 2−42{-}4 yrs: throwing, catching, kicking.
  • 4−64{-}6 yrs: hopping, jumping.