- Definition
Movement skills are the basic building blocks of physical activity, like balancing, running, and throwing, which help your child develop coordination and participate in many different sports and games.
Running to catch a ball combines a locomotion skill (running) with a manipulation skill (catching).
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Movement skills are like the Lego blocks you use to build anything you want to do with your body.
Ask your child: How many different ways can you move across the room?
Common mix-up: Kids may think these skills are only for sports. They are the basic building blocks for all movement, from playground games to dancing.
Examples
- Balancing on one foot is a stability skill.
- Hopping on the sidewalk is a locomotion skill.
- Throwing a beanbag into a bucket is a manipulation skill.
movement skills is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
- Grade 1 Health and Physical Education
- Grade 2 Health and Physical Education
- Grade 3 Health and Physical Education
- Grade 4 Health and Physical Education
- Grade 5 Health and Physical Education
- Grade 6 Health and Physical Education
- Grade 7 Health and Physical Education
+4 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
