“Movement, or physical activity, is thus an essential factor in intellectual growth, which depends upon the impressions received from outside. Through movement we come in contact with external reality, and it is through these contacts that we eventually acquire even abstract ideas.”
~ Dr. Maria Montessori, The Secret of Childhood
Maria Montessori said that intellectual development is intertwined with movement. Thought and action are connected and give support to the developing personality of the child. For the child, the development of coordinated movement from birth to three years and three to six is integral to the total development of the child. In her writings, Montessori outlines the importance of movement in relation to equilibrium, independence and concentration.
Gross motor skills promote;
- Health– obvious benefits of exercise to the body and mind, more specifically
- Confidence & Self Esteem– important in childhood, yes, but arguably a more important life skill
- Ability to Assess Risk– another important life skill, not only with physical wellbeing but with taking risks in life with decision making
- Energy Release– physical, social and emotional
- Brain Development– the early years lay the foundation of brain pathways for lifelong motor skills and aids in learning, especially learning skills that require advanced thinking and mental dexterity
Ayesha Meer – Children’s House Program Coordinator & Teacher
