Behaviour

Most of the leisure activities that children participate in these days are sedentary, such as sitting in front of the computer or tv. This is having significant consequences on their health. Statistics show that one out of 5 children is overweight or obese. Children need to have at least 60 minutes worth of physical activity a day.

Please read through the brochure Australia's Physical Activity Recommendations for 5-12 Year olds by searching for physical activity at www.health.gov.au

The fundamental movement skills are the various gross motor skills such as running, balancing, kicking etc. These skills are the basis for all physical activity that we do in sports, dance, gymnastics and other physical recreational activities. If children can develop these skills they are more likely to continue to be involved in physical activity in later life. We need to be aware of what these fundamental movement skills are so we can provide activities to enhance all of these.

The twelve fundamental movement skills are: balancing, running, jumping, catching, hopping, throwing, galloping, skipping, leaping and kicking.

One of the ways that we can promote fundamental movement skills is to set up interesting outdoor environments where children get the opportunity to practice some of these skills.