How Much Movement Do Toddlers Really Need? Helping Your Child Learn Through Movement and Play

The first five years of life are some of the most important for your child's physical, social and brain development. During these early years, movement isn't just about staying active, it's one of the primary ways children learn about themselves and the world around them.

Whether it's tummy time, crawling across the lounge room, climbing at the playground or dancing to their favourite Wiggles song, every movement helps build strength, coordination, confidence and lifelong learning.

As a Pregnancy and Paediatric Chiropractor, I'm passionate about helping families understand how everyday movement supports healthy childhood development. In this article, I expand on my conversation with Lachy Gillespie and Simon Pryce from The Wiggles on Wiggle Talk: A Podcast for Parents, where we explored why movement matters, what developmental milestones parents can expect and practical ways to encourage active play at home.

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This article expands on my appearance on Wiggle Talk: A Podcast for Parents, where I joined Lachy Gillespie and Simon Pryce from The Wiggles to discuss why movement is so important during the first five years of life and how parents can support healthy development through everyday play.

🎙 Podcast: Wiggle Talk: A Podcast for Parents
👥 Hosts: Lachy Gillespie & Simon Pryce
🎤 Guest: Dr Amy Norman
📅 Episode Release Date: 16/09/2025
⏱ Episode Duration: 42 min
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Why Movement Matters During the First Five Years

Children aren't designed to sit still.

From birth, babies and toddlers are constantly learning through movement. Every roll, reach, crawl, climb and jump helps create new neural pathways that support learning, coordination and confidence.

Movement helps children develop:

Gross motor skills
Fine motor skills
Balance
Coordination
Strength
Spatial awareness
Confidence
Social skills
Language development
Emotional regulation

Simply put, movement helps children build both healthy bodies and healthy brains.

How Much Movement Do Toddlers Really Need?

Parents often ask whether their child is getting enough exercise. We often forget that play is our exercise and for little ones, it is their "work". They benefit from being physically active throughout the day through a variety of fun, age-appropriate activities.

This might include:

Running
Climbing
Dancing
Chasing bubbles
Playing at the park
Exploring nature
Building obstacle courses
Riding balance bikes
Playing imaginative games

The goal is to create opportunities to move often.

Why Active Play Is So Important

Children learn best when they're actively exploring. Active play supports:

Physical Development

Movement strengthens muscles, improves coordination and develops balance.

These skills become the building blocks for future activities like riding bikes, playing sport and participating confidently at school.

Brain Development

Movement stimulates brain development by strengthening the connections between different parts of the brain.

Children who move regularly are constantly learning:

Problem-solving
Cause and effect
Body awareness
Planning
Attention

Emotional Wellbeing

Active play helps children:

Build confidence
Manage emotions
Develop resilience
Reduce stress
Sleep better

Social Development

Playing with others teaches children how to:

Share
Take turns
Communicate
Cooperate
Solve problems together

Developmental Milestones: What to Expect During the First Five Years

Every child develops differently. Milestones provide useful guides, but there is a wide range of normal development.

If you're ever concerned about your child's progress, discussing your concerns with a healthcare professional can provide reassurance or identify whether further assessment may be helpful.

Birth to 12 Months

During the first year babies commonly learn to:

Lift their head
Roll
Sit independently
Crawl or bottom shuffle
Pull to stand
Cruise along furniture
Take their first steps

Tummy time plays an important role in helping babies develop the neck, shoulder and trunk strength needed for these milestones.

12–18 Months

Many toddlers begin:

Walking confidently
Squatting to pick up toys
Climbing furniture
Throwing balls
Pushing and pulling toys
Beginning simple pretend play

18–24 Months

Children often become much more adventurous.

They may begin:

Running
Kicking balls
Walking backwards
Climbing playground equipment
Jumping with assistance
Building larger towers
Following more complex instructions

2–3 Years

At this age children commonly develop:

Better balance
Jumping
Beginning to pedal
Improved climbing skills
Greater independence
More complex language

3–5 Years

Preschoolers continue refining their movement skills through:

Hopping
Catching
Throwing
Balancing
Riding scooters
Learning to skip
Cooperative games

These years establish the foundation for lifelong physical activity.

Simple Ways to Encourage More Movement at Home

Some of the best movement experiences happen naturally during everyday life. You will not need to buy lots of items for these ideas!

Ideas include:

Dancing together in the lounge room
Playing chase
Building indoor obstacle courses
Visiting local playgrounds
Nature walks
Ball games
Animal walks
Bubble chasing
Helping with gardening
Playing on different surfaces such as sand, grass and mulch

The aim is to make movement fun rather than something children feel they "have" to do.

Free Play Is One of the Best Teachers

One of the themes we discussed on Wiggle Talk was the importance of giving children opportunities to explore independently.

Free play allows children to:

Make decisions
Solve problems
Build creativity
Develop resilience
Learn from trial and error

Parents don't need to entertain children every minute of the day. Sometimes the richest learning happens when children are simply given time, space and a safe environment to explore.

When Should Parents Seek Professional Advice?

While there is a wide range of normal development, parents may wish to seek advice if they notice:

Delayed motor milestones
Persistent asymmetrical movement
Difficulty with balance
Challenges keeping up with peers
Ongoing concerns about movement or coordination
Developmental concerns raised by educators or other healthcare providers

Early assessment can often provide reassurance and, where appropriate, support families in accessing the right care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my toddler need organised sport?

No. Active play is the most important type of physical activity during the toddler years.

Is climbing safe?

Appropriately supervised climbing helps children develop strength, coordination, confidence and problem-solving skills.

What if my child develops more slowly than another child?

Children develop at different rates. Milestones provide a guide rather than a strict timeline.

Can chiropractic care support children's development?

Paediatric chiropractors assess how babies and children move and develop and work alongside families and other healthcare professionals to support healthy movement and development where appropriate.

Key Takeaways

✔ Movement is one of the most important ways young children learn.

✔ Active play supports physical, cognitive, emotional and social development.

✔ Everyday play provides plenty of opportunities for healthy movement.

✔ Developmental milestones are guides, and every child develops at their own pace.

✔ Encouraging movement from an early age helps lay the foundation for lifelong health and wellbeing.

About Dr Amy Norman

Dr Amy Norman is a Pregnancy and Paediatric Chiropractor based in Hurstville, Sydney. She has a special interest in infant development, childhood movement and family health, and is passionate about empowering parents with evidence-informed education.

In addition to caring for babies, children and pregnant women in clinical practice, Dr Amy regularly shares her expertise through podcasts, community presentations and collaborations with organisations committed to improving children's health and wellbeing.

Ready to Support Your Child's Development?

Every child develops in their own unique way, but if you have questions about your baby's milestones, your toddler's movement or your child's overall development, we're here to help.

At Dynamic Chiropractic, we provide family-centred chiropractic care for babies, children and parents in a warm, welcoming environment.

Book an appointment, explore our Paediatric Chiropractic services, or browse our parenting resources to learn more about supporting your child's development through every stage of early childhood.