The Link Between Movement, Brain Development, and Learning

How Movement Strengthens Brain Development, Focus & Learning in Children

Think jumping is just for fun? Or that climbing is just a way to burn off steam? Think again. Every bounce, stretch, scoot, and roll is shaping your child’s brain in ways that textbooks alone never could.

At Little Gliders, we believe movement isn’t just physical,it’s neurological. It strengthens the body, yes, but it also sharpens memory, boosts concentration, and lays the groundwork for literacy, numeracy, and emotional regulation.

Let’s explore how active play builds better brains,and how you can support it at home.

Movement Is a Brain-Building Superpower

When children move, their brains:

• Form stronger neural connections
  
• Strengthen the cerebellum, which helps with coordination and focus
  
• Improve executive function, such as planning, impulse control, and working memory
  
• Support language and communication through movement-linked speech areas
  
• Stimulate the vestibular system, which enhances balance, attention, and calm
  

That’s why so many early years classrooms start the day with movement, it literally primes the brain for learning.

Key Types of Movement That Support Learning

1. Bouncing and Jumping
When children jump, their bodies engage in a rhythmic, repetitive motion that stimulates the vestibular system. This system plays a key role in helping them focus, stay upright, and filter out unnecessary noise and distractions. For children who struggle to sit still or transition between tasks, bouncing can create the physical reset their brain needs to tune in again.

Try

• Use jumpspots indoors for safe, energy-releasing movement that supports core strength.
• Set up a mini trampoline outside to help with coordination and balance.
• Create hopping paths or cushion trails for fun and focused movement in tight spaces.

2. Climbing and Hanging
Climbing activates muscles and the mind. It requires children to make decisions in real-time, plan their movements, and understand their body in relation to space. These tasks mirror the same cognitive patterns used in writing, drawing, and sitting upright,making it an excellent way to build learning readiness in a physical, hands-on way.

Try

• Install wall bars in a bedroom or hallway for daily strength-building activities.
• Introduce climbing cubes that allow children to crawl, balance and explore from different angles.
• Add a ladder attachment to their existing setup for variety and challenge.

3. Rolling and Rocking
Movement that involves rolling or gentle rocking improves proprioception, the brain’s understanding of where the body is in space. This kind of sensory input is essential for children to feel calm, in control, and emotionally regulated. It’s especially helpful for those who experience overwhelm, frustration, or sensory sensitivity.

Try

• Offer a body wheel for full-body sensory input that supports both movement and self-soothing.
• Place a soft floor rocker in their play area for gentle, rhythmical motion.
• Encourage rolling games with mats or tunnels to bring movement into imaginative play.

4. Scooting and Pedalling
Cross-lateral movement, when a child uses opposite sides of the body together, like pedalling or steering, has a direct impact on brain development. It strengthens the connection between the brain’s two hemispheres, supporting skills like reading, writing, maths, and problem-solving.

Try

• Let them ride a scooter indoors in open hallways or larger rooms.
• Use trikes for toddlers learning coordination and pedalling skills.
• Introduce go-karts for more adventurous riders who want speed with control.

How to Add Brain-Building Play to Your Day

• Start mornings with 10 minutes of bouncing or swinging
  
• Add a quick climbing session after screen time to refocus
  
• Use scooters or trikes before homework or creative play
  
• Encourage free movement breaks during indoor days, like wall bar hangs or balance paths
  
• Combine story time with swings to boost focus and retention
  

It doesn’t have to be structured. Just give your child the freedom to move,and the brain will follow.

Support Their Mind With Motion

At Little Gliders, we don’t just sell toys,we offer tools that help your child grow stronger, smarter, and more self-assured through movement. Our indoor range is designed to support whole-child development, even in the smallest spaces.

Shop our Brain-Building Play Collection now,and give your child the movement that fuels learning.