The Power of Movement: How Gross Motor Skills Support Learning
Welcome back to the Koi Wellness blog! I’m Aya Porté, an occupational therapist (OT) dedicated to supporting cross-cultural families and helping children thrive in school and daily life.
As parents and educators, we often hear about the importance of focus, stillness, and “paying attention” in the classroom. But what if I told you that movement—not stillness—is the key to better learning?
Many children are expected to sit for extended periods, whether in traditional classrooms or virtual learning spaces. But research (and experience) shows that gross motor development—the ability to control large body movements—is closely tied to attention, memory, emotional regulation, and academic success.
Today, let’s explore why movement matters and how supporting gross motor skills can help children learn more effectively.
Movement and the Developing Brain
Movement isn’t just about physical activity—it’s a critical part of brain development.
When children run, jump, climb, and explore, they are strengthening neural connections that support problem-solving, coordination, and self-regulation. Movement activates multiple brain regions, making learning more engaging and effective.
Here’s how gross motor skills impact school success:
🧠 Cognitive Development – Movement increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain, improving focus, problem-solving, and memory retention.
👀 Visual Tracking – Skills like following a moving object (e.g., a bouncing ball) are essential for reading, copying from the board, and handwriting.
✋ Fine Motor Readiness – Before a child can hold a pencil properly, they need strong core stability, shoulder strength, and hand coordination. These develop through activities like crawling, climbing, and jumping.
⚖️ Self-Regulation – Movement helps children release or gain energy, reduce stress, and improve emotional control. Kids who struggle to sit still often need movement to help their brains focus and return to their optimal arousal or window of tolerance—a term used to describe the ideal zone of arousal where learning can can occur, because the child is well regulated. Learn more about the window of tolerance here
🚀 Postural Control & Attention – A strong core supports sitting upright and maintaining focus. Kids with weak postural muscles often slump, fidget, or struggle to sustain attention in class.
Signs Your Child May Need More Movement
Not all children develop gross motor skills at the same rate. Some may need extra opportunities to build coordination and strength. Here are some common signs a child may benefit from more movement-based activities:
Struggles to sit still for long periods
Poor posture while sitting or writing
Frequently trips, stumbles, or bumps into things
Difficulty with ball skills (throwing, catching, kicking)
Avoids climbing, jumping, or physical play
Seems uncoordinated compared to peers
Easily fatigued or lacks endurance for physical activities
If you notice these signs, increasing movement opportunities throughout the day can help improve coordination, focus, and learning readiness.
How to Incorporate More Movement Into Daily Learning
As an OT, I often recommend simple, structured movement activities that can be incorporated into school and home routines to support regulation and help children access their window of tolerance. Here are some ideas:
1. Movement Breaks Between Learning Tasks
Instead of asking children to sit still for long periods, allow short movement breaks to reset focus. Try:
5-minute dance breaks
Stretching or yoga poses between activities
Jumping jacks or “shake it out” games
2. Gross Motor Activities to Strengthen the Core
A strong core is essential for sitting upright and maintaining attention. Encourage:
Animal walks (bear walk, crab walk, frog jumps)
Climbing on playground structures
Rolling, spinning, or balancing exercises
3. Brain-Boosting Movement for Focus
Cross-body movements engage both hemispheres of the brain, supporting learning, coordination, and reading skills. Try:
Cross crawls (touching opposite knee to elbow)
Playing catch with both hands
Toe touches with opposite hands
4. Active Learning Strategies
Incorporating movement into academics can help with memory and engagement. Try:
Writing spelling words in the air with large arm movements
Using movement-based games for math (jumping on numbers, clapping out addition facts)
Standing up and moving during reading comprehension activities
5. Flexible Seating & Classroom Adjustments
For kids who struggle with sitting still, alternative seating can provide movement while learning. Options include:
🪑 Wobble cushions or yoga balls for active sitting (some children even benefit from standing on a wobble cushion, depending on supervision and balance)
👣 Standing desks or foot fidgets
🧍 Short movement breaks between tasks
The Bigger Picture: Movement as a Learning Tool
Movement isn’t just about “getting the wiggles out”—it’s a powerful tool for building brain connections, improving emotional regulation, and setting kids up for success.
When we rethink the way we approach learning, we can help children engage their bodies and minds simultaneously.
Instead of saying: “Sit still and focus,” try:
“Let’s do 10 jumping jacks before we start!”
“Can you hop like a frog while we count?”
“Let’s stretch our arms while we think about our next idea!”
By embracing movement, we help children become stronger learners, problem solvers, and self-regulated individuals.
Moving Toward Better Learning
When we encourage movement, we’re not just supporting physical activity—we’re building lifelong learning skills.
Children don’t need to sit still to learn. In fact, movement can be the missing link that helps them focus, process information, and retain knowledge more effectively.
At Koi Wellness, I help families and educators integrate movement-based strategies into daily routines, creating a supportive and engaging learning environment.
Want to learn more? Let’s connect! Follow Koi Wellness on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, or schedule a consultation, here, to explore personalized support for your child.
Let’s keep moving—because when kids move, they learn!