What’s the best “window of opportunity” for teaching kids basic movement skills?

The earlier, the better. Researchers think the best time to work on basic movement skills is during preschool and early elementary. At this age, kids haven’t developed bad habits. They learn more easily and are not as self-conscious about their performance. They’re also not as afraid of getting hurt or being made fun of by their peers.

Studies have shown that early mastery of movement skills may lead to healthy habits over the long run. Examples of movement skills include running, jumping, catching, throwing, and kicking. Some studies suggest that learning these skills is especially important for girls. Boys may be physically active later whether or not they learn the skills. But for girls, the skills themselves may be more essential.