Physical Activity Builds Healthy Bodies

Why movement in the early years matters more than ever

If you’ve ever watched a toddler sprint across a playground, stumble, then bounce right back up laughing, you’ve seen a perfect example of how children learn — through movement. For children between the ages of two and four, every jump, spin, or tumble isn’t just play; it’s a neurological and physical workout that shapes how they grow, think, and connect with the world.

Yet, despite the clear benefits of movement, research shows many young children simply aren’t getting enough active time each day. With modern lifestyles filled with screens, busy schedules, and limited outdoor play, movement is often the first thing to shrink — and the long-term effects can ripple across a lifetime.

The science of active beginnings

The World Health Organization recommends that toddlers and preschoolers spend at least 180 minutes per day in a variety of physical activities, spread throughout the day — and that at least 60 of those minutes should be energetic play.¹ The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics echo similar guidance: active play in early childhood supports bone density, muscle development, cardiovascular health, and healthy weight management.²

These physical benefits are only part of the story. When young children move, they’re not just building muscles — they’re building neural connections. Studies from the University of Illinois and the Centers for Cognitive and Brain Health have shown that gross-motor activity (running, balancing, climbing) enhances brain structure and function, leading to better cognitive flexibility, working memory, and focus later in childhood.³

In other words: the playground is a classroom.

Motor skills are milestones for life

During the ages of two to four, children are mastering fundamental movement skills: walking with balance, running efficiently, jumping, kicking, throwing, and catching. These skills are the building blocks for every sport, dance, or physical activity they’ll try in the future. Research published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport found that children who develop these fundamental skills early are more likely to stay physically active into adolescence and adulthood.⁴

But those skills don’t just happen automatically. Toddlers and preschoolers need guided opportunities — safe spaces, encouraging adults, and variety. The goal isn’t to train them like mini-athletes but to let them discover what their bodies can do through joyful exploration.

More than muscles: movement and emotional health

Physical activity also builds resilience. When young children try, fail, and try again — whether they’re learning to hop on one foot or climb a small ladder — they’re practicing persistence and managing frustration. This emotional feedback loop is foundational for confidence and self-esteem.

A 2020 review published in Early Child Development and Care showed that children engaged in regular physical play displayed stronger social skills, greater emotional regulation, and higher self-confidence compared to peers who had less active playtime.⁵

Movement teaches self-efficacy: “I can do hard things.” That lesson, learned in a gym or playground, translates beautifully to school readiness and future challenges.

The quiet epidemic of inactivity

Unfortunately, research consistently shows that most young children fall short of activity guidelines. The National Physical Activity Plan Alliance found that only about 50% of preschoolers get the recommended amount of daily physical activity.⁶ Sedentary habits — long car rides, screen time, confined indoor environments — limit the opportunities for natural movement.

This inactivity comes with measurable costs. Studies link early inactivity to delayed motor development, higher rates of obesity, and even poorer sleep quality. What’s more, once sedentary habits form early, they tend to persist.

That’s why early-childhood movement programs are not just enrichment — they’re intervention.

The role of structured enrichment programs

While free play is vital, structured enrichment programs add something special: intentional variety, social interaction, and expert guidance. Programs like Kidokinetics use evidence-based curriculums to introduce children to a wide range of physical skills in fun, age-appropriate ways.

In a structured class, children might toss scarves to work on tracking and coordination, jump over colorful cones for agility, or balance on foam beams to improve stability. The activities look like play — and they are — but they’re strategically designed to build key motor, sensory, and cognitive skills.

Group sessions also nurture social development. Children learn to take turns, follow simple instructions, cheer for peers, and listen actively — all crucial skills for later success in school environments.

A family’s best ally in healthy development

Parents are a child’s first role model for movement. When children see adults enjoying physical activity — whether walking the dog, dancing in the kitchen, or joining a family fun run — they learn that movement is joyful, not a chore.

Experts recommend a mix of structured and unstructured activity: classes, playground play, backyard games, and simple routines at home. For parents who want support in this area, community-based enrichment providers can fill a valuable gap by bringing expertise, equipment, and encouragement into the child’s weekly rhythm.

Kidokinetics: making movement magical

At www.kidokinetics.com, movement is more than a game — it’s a foundation for lifelong learning. Each Kidokinetics class is tailored to meet children where they are developmentally, combining fun, variety, and positive reinforcement. The curriculum introduces children to over 20 different sports and activities, helping them discover what they love while developing confidence, coordination, and social skills.

Kidokinetics’ certified coaches understand how early movement connects to physical, emotional, and cognitive growth. By focusing on joy and inclusion — not competition — they ensure every child leaves feeling successful. It’s an approach that parents trust and children adore, because it turns fitness into play and potential into progress.

In the end, movement means possibility

From the moment a toddler learns to chase a ball to the day they confidently leap off the playground steps, every bit of movement shapes their future. When we give young children opportunities to explore, move, and play, we’re not just filling time — we’re building bodies that are strong, minds that are curious, and spirits that believe in themselves.

Because healthy habits don’t start in adulthood — they start with a single joyful jump.

References

1. World Health Organization. Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep for Children Under 5 Years of Age (2019).
   
   
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Physical Activity Basics for Young Children (2023).
   
   
3. Chaddock-Heyman, L. et al. (2014). Neuroscience — Physical activity and brain function in children.
   
   
4. Robinson, L. E. et al. (2015). Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.
   
   
5. Peden, M. et al. (2020). Early Child Development and Care.
   
   
6. National Physical Activity Plan Alliance (2022). U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth.