Movement is life — these words perfectly capture the importance of physical activity in every child’s life. In preschool, children spend time on games that engage their bodies, help develop motor skills, and teach cooperation and responsibility. Movement is not just play — it is an invaluable element of a child’s development (ages 1–6), supporting concentration, improving coordination, strengthening muscles, and influencing emotions. As a trainer with a degree from AWF (Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego — Academy of Physical Education) in Warsaw, I see every day how consistent movement transforms children at our preschool in Saska Kępa (Praga-Południe district).
The natural need for movement
Children love to run, jump, dance, and climb… It is a natural need that allows them to discover their own capabilities. Every movement, every outdoor game, every moment spent on energetic play is a step towards better physical and emotional development. These kinds of activities make children feel stronger, more confident, while also teaching them to recognise their limits. Even 12-month-old children in our nursery group regularly practise gross motor skills during sessions based on the Sherborne Developmental Movement method, while older children aged 3–6 have the chance to try judo, gymnastics, dance, and fencing.
Learning through active play
Active games are also a great opportunity to weave in elements of learning. Ball games, tag, or obstacle courses develop not only coordination and balance but also teach children cooperation and following rules. Group play teaches children to share, solve problems, and communicate.
Health and resilience
Physical activity is also an excellent way to improve children’s health. Regular movement strengthens immunity, supports proper cardiovascular development, and aids brain growth. And most importantly — it makes children feel happy and full of energy! Healthy movement also goes hand in hand with healthy nutrition — our in-house kitchen serves four meals every day, prepared in line with MEN (Ministerstwo Edukacji Narodowej) nutrition standards under the consultation of Klaudia Markiewicz, a certified dietitian of PID (Polski Instytut Dietetyki — Polish Institute of Dietetics).
How we do this at our preschool in Saska Kępa
At Przedszkole i Żłobek Siedmiu Krasnoludków on ul. Irlandzka 7 (Saska Kępa, Praga-Południe, Warsaw), movement is woven into the daily schedule from the nursery group through to the kindergarten group. Every day I run sessions in the Sherborne Developmental Movement tradition for the youngest, all-round sport with elements of judo and gymnastics for 3–6-year-olds, and in the afternoons interested children try dance and yoga. For families from nearby Kamionek and Grochów, this is often the first organised sport in a child’s life — which is why the Positive Discipline philosophy is so important to us: winning is never more important than safety, fun, and a sense of agency. If you are interested in additional forms of movement at our facility, take a look at the full preschool offer and language education (TPR — Total Physical Response — combines movement with English learning).
Movement in everyday life
It is important to ensure that physical activity is part of a child’s daily routine. Simple playground games, dancing to music, running in the garden, or playing ball are fantastic ways to introduce movement into a child’s life. This way, children not only have fun but also learn to take care of their health from the earliest years. Families using the Aktywnie w żłobku programme (PLN 1,500/month) gain additional resources for organised forms of movement — including at our facility.
Self-expression through movement
In preschool, movement is also a way to express oneself. Group dances, games with parachute cloths — all of this gives children the opportunity to overcome shyness, develop body expression, and express emotions non-verbally. These types of activities also have a huge impact on building a sense of community and bonds with peers.
In summary, physical activity is not just a way to spend free time — it is a key element in a child’s development. Through play and movement, children develop not only their bodies but also learn teamwork, emotional awareness, and above all — they have fun! Movement is energy, joy, and a way to create wonderful childhood memories. If you have any doubts about your child’s harmonious development, it is worth consulting our special-education teacher or reviewing the offer of therapeutic activities — including Sensory Integration (SI) and hand therapy — and the profiles of our team.