Fundamental Movement Skills

Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) provide the building blocks for many physical activities, such as playing games, dance, and sport. “Having these skills is an essential part of enjoyable participation and a lifelong interest in an active lifestyle” (Developing FMS Manual, Sport NZ).

Fundamental movement skills are important to the motor development of children’s physical, cognitive and social growth. There are three categories in which the fundamental skills fit – Manipulative, Locomotor and Stability.

Below you will find examples of activities which assist in the development of these fundamental movement skills.  (All of these will be linked through to a pdf explaining the activity). For more ideas on developing fundamental movement skills, see Sport NZ's Developing Fundamental Movement Skills manual.

 

Manipulative

 

Locomotion

 

Stability and Balance

 

Environment and Equipment

 

Games and Activities

This section focuses on different games that incorporate fundamental movement skills, and looking at ways in which they can be modified for different age groups and used to teach a variety of skills.

 

Hauora (wellbeing) focused activities

Taha Whānau (Social Wellbeing)

Taha Hinengaro (Mental and Emotional Wellbeing)

Taha Wairua (Spiritual Wellbeing)

Taha Tinana (Physical Wellbeing)

 

Concept Specific Games

Striking and Fielding Games

Invasion Games

Net and Wall Games

Target Games

 

Refresher Activities

We often get requests for ideas of short ‘refresher activities’ that can be used to re-energise children between lessons.
So here are some short cross curricula activities that cater towards all levels including under-fives and that link into Fundamental Movement Skill development.

For more ideas on developing fundamental movement skills see Sport NZ's Developing Fundamental Movement Skills manual.

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