Physical Play is an essential part of every child's daily routine, and regular physical play, movement and exercise can also assist children in developing active habits they will take with them into adulthood.
From birth, children develop motor skills through movement and play. These skills can be grouped into gross motor skills (large movements like running and jumping) and fine motor skills (smaller movements like grasping and manipulating objects).
As children grow, their strength, coordination, balance and spatial awareness all develop through physical play.
These early experiences lay the groundwork for fundamental movement skills (FMS), otherwise known as the building blocks of movement such as running, jumping, throwing and balancing. These skills are essential for more complex activities later in life, including sports, recreation, and active daily living.
Children who build strong movement skills early are more likely to feel confident participating in physical activity and enjoy being active with others.
The role of daily movement: Following the 24-hour guidelines
The Australian Government's 24-hour movement guidelines remind us that children need a balanced day of movement, rest and sleep to thrive.
For young children (birth to 5 years), this includes plenty of active play (at least 3 hours per day), minimising long periods of sitting, limiting screen time, and getting enough quality sleep.
You can view the full 24-hour movement guidelines here.
Making physical play accessible for all abilities
Every child deserves the opportunity to move, play and explore in ways that suit their abilities, interests and stage of development. There are some guidelines provided by the Child Health Service, that may indicate if you have concerns over gross motor and other early developmental stages.
Inclusive play can be supported by providing open-ended materials, designing flexible spaces, offering varied levels of challenge, and ensuring all children feel represented and supported in the environment.
Supporting children with physical disabilities
Children with physical disabilities bring their own unique strengths, interests and ways of moving through the world. Some may use mobility aids, need a little more time, or benefit from extra support with coordination and balance. Physical play is about creating opportunities for children to explore, participate and feel successful.
Create space for exploration
Allow plenty of time for children to explore play materials in their own way. Think about how they can access toys independently, can they reach, hold, or choose what they want to play with?
Adapting materials in small ways can assist with making a big difference to engagement in play. For example:
• Adding Velcro or grips to help with holding toys
• Using larger or lighter equipment
• Setting up stable surfaces for play
Encourage shared play
Games that involve more than one child can help build friendships and communication. Simple activities like rolling a ball back and forth or working together on a building project create organic moments for connection.
Support full participation
Consider how activities can be adapted so all children can join in, rather than watching from the sidelines. When children play together, they learn from one another, develop new skills, and build a sense of belonging.
Supporting children with developmental delay
Children with developmental delay often learn at their own pace, and may need a little extra support across areas like movement, communication or social skills.
Create opportunities to play together
Playing alongside others helps children build friendships, learn new skills and feel part of a group. Mixed-ability play can be incredibly rich, with children learning by watching, copying and encouraging each other. Play Matters have PlayConnect+ playgroups and Play and Learn Supported Groups, which are designed with this in mind. Check out the timetable here.
Use music to bring children together
Music and movement are wonderful tools for connection. Singing, dancing or rhythm games can help children engage, communicate and build relationships. Rotating partners in music activities can gently support new friendships. Sing&Grow have an amazing playlist of movement songs to get you started.
Gain attention before communicating
Before giving instructions or starting a conversation, pause and make sure you have the child’s attention. This might be through calling their name, making eye contact, or using a simple gesture.
Keep communication clear and simple
Use clear, specific language when explaining what to do. Breaking tasks into smaller steps can help children feel confident and successful.
Bring in visual supports
Visual cues can make instructions easier to understand. You might:
• Demonstrate the activity yourself
• Ask another child to model the task
• Use pictures, schedules or short videos
These supports can help children follow along and feel more included in group activities.
All Play, a Monash Education initiative, has a range of resources available for free download to support inclusive play.
You can support fundamental movement skills in practical ways as your family moves throughout the day.
At home:
• Obstacle courses using cushions, chairs, and boxes
• Ball play for rolling, throwing and catching
• Dance and movement games (check out the stop and bop and other family favourites from the Sing&Grow team on Spotify)
• Tummy time and floor play for babies, with objects to reach for and grasp
At the park or out and about:
• Climbing and swinging
• Running and chasing games
• Nature play such as balancing on logs, skipping across steppingstones
• Scooters and bikes for balance
Simple ways families can encourage more movement into the day
• Build movement into daily routines – is walking to kindy, daycare or school an option or a stroll to a nearby green space?
• Follow your child’s lead in play
• Break up sitting time with movement breaks
• Limit screen time
• Be an active role model
Physical play is essential for children's growth and development, significantly influencing their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. More than that, physical play can dramatically strengthen the bond you share with your child. Playing together sends a powerful message, that your child is important enough to share activities with and engage with them. This sense of importance nurtures a robust, healthy attachment, laying a strong foundation for their emotional development and future relationships. Shared play experiences also cultivate empathy, understanding, and mutual respect, further reinforcing the bond between parent and child.
Want to know more about the fundamentals of physical play in the early years? Join our free Lunch&Learn with Chris Davis, CEO of Little Athletics Queensland as he dives into ways to explore fundamentals in the early years. Register here.
References
Play Matters Australia. (2022, July 4). Making physical play accessible for all abilities. https://playmatters.org.au/blog/making-physical-play-accessible-for-all-abilities
Play Matters Australia. (2022, June 30). Move and play every day: Children’s physical activity guidelines. https://playmatters.org.au/blog/move-and-play-every-day-childrens-physical-activity-guidelines
Play Matters Australia. (2024, July 18). Physical play and the physical development stages in children. https://playmatters.org.au/blog/physical-play-and-the-physical-development-stages-in-children
Australian Government Department of Health. (n.d.). 24-hour movement guidelines for the early years.
AllPlay Learn. (n.d.). Early childhood education and care settings: Educator resources. Monash University. https://allplaylearn.org.au/early/early-educator-resources/
Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service. (2024). Red flags early identification guide (birth to 5 years). https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/167093/red-flags.pdf