Your child’s body is changing fast, and you can help lay a great foundation for health and fitness by working on physical skills now. Some of the skills that you can play with are balance, control, strength, and flexibility.

Your child will benefit in many ways as she grows in her physical skills. A few of these benefits are:

Safety. She will have fewer accidents as she gains greater control over her body.

Confidence. A young child’s thoughts and emotions are tied intimately with their physical experience. Gaining physical prowess will build a strong foundation for confidence in many areas of his life.

Sleep. A child who is active during the day sleeps more peacefully at night.

Appetite. Though not a magic cure for picky eating, exercise certainly stimulates the appetite for healthy foods.

Fun. Purposefully moving is an integral part of play, and using your body should be fun! You and your child can get silly, explore slapstick, dance, and play together, all while building physical skills.

Almost any movement activity works on multiple skills, but the activities here represent games to help your child develop across the spectrum, from whole body strength and coordination to focused, fine-motor skills and hand strength.