Raising Movers, Not Scrollers: A Parent’s Guide to Developing Motor Skills and Healthy Habits by Age
- Coach Tex McClinton
- Jun 18
- 4 min read
In today’s world, kids are growing up fast—but not always in the right ways. Screens are everywhere. Junk food is convenient. Physical activity is optional. The problem? We’re raising children to be spectators rather than participants. We believe in raising movers; not scrollers.
If you’re a parent, you don’t need to be a professional coach or PE teacher to help your child develop motor skills and healthy habits. What you do need is intentional time, a bit of knowledge, and consistency.
This blog post breaks down what to focus on with your child by age group, so you can invest the right energy at the right time; and mold them into the healthy, confident person they’re meant to be.
🌱 Ages 0–2: The Groundwork Stage (Tummy Time, Crawling, Exploring)
What to Work On:
Tummy time and crawling to build core strength.
Reaching, grasping, and transferring objects hand-to-hand.
Climbing over safe obstacles (pillows, mats).
Basic balance and coordination (standing, cruising along furniture).
Let them fall—then let them try again.
Why It Matters:
These are your child’s first movement experiences. Early motor skills literally help build the brain’s neural connections. You’re not raising a basketball star yet; you’re helping their brain-body connection come alive.
Stay Away From:
Excessive screen time (no screen time recommended under 18 months).
Overuse of bouncers and walkers that restrict free movement.
🐾 Ages 3–5: The Playmaker Stage (Fun, Free Movement, Imagination)
What to Work On:
Running, hopping, jumping, climbing... all through play!
Catching and throwing lightweight balls.
Balance games like walking on a line, hopscotch, or yoga poses.
Dance, martial arts, swimming... anything that sparks joy and coordination.
Let them create their own games and explore new ways to move.
Why It Matters:
This is the golden age of gross motor development. Kids at this age are sponges. They’re building confidence in their own bodies, learning how to fail, try again, and have fun doing it.
Stay Away From:
Over-structuring their day. Kids need unstructured play too.
Long hours of passive entertainment. Limit screens to under 1 hour/day.
🏃 Ages 6–9: The Skill Builder Stage (Repetition, Confidence, Identity)
What to Work On:
Sport sampling: Let them try multiple sports or movement styles.
Encourage repetition of basic skills (dribbling, kicking, catching).
Introduce team-based games with simple rules.
Start developing rhythm and timing through activities like jump rope or dance.
Celebrate EFFORT, not just talent.
Why It Matters:
This is where kids start to internalize movement patterns and build confidence in what they can do. It’s the ideal time to introduce healthy habits that feel fun, not forced.
Stay Away From:
Early sport specialization. Burnout is real.
Harsh criticism or pressure to "be the best." Focus on growth.
🧠 Ages 10–13: The Identity Stage (Challenge, Mastery, Mentorship)
What to Work On:
Encourage mastery of skills: proper technique, strategy, and execution.
Build core strength and functional movement (think bodyweight exercises).
Teach them how to train smarter: warm-ups, recovery, stretching.
Talk about nutrition and rest in a real-world context.
Assign responsibilities: team leader, warm-up leader, scorekeeper, etc.
Why It Matters:
This is the age where movement either becomes a lifestyle or fades into the background. Help your child see themselves as an athlete in their own story, not someone who just “goes to practice.”
Stay Away From:
Obsessive competitiveness or over-scheduling.
Poor nutrition habits masked as “convenience.” Now’s the time to educate.
🧭 Ages 14–18: The Ownership Stage (Leadership, Strength, Balance)
What to Work On:
Strength training: done right, this builds resilience and performance.
Advanced skills: footwork, agility, explosive movement.
Mental skills: dealing with pressure, handling failure, goal setting.
Leadership development: give them a voice and a role.
Cross-training to reduce injury risk and prevent burnout.
Why It Matters:
This is when your child either develops into a healthy adult who values fitness—or loses interest and becomes passive. Help them own their journey.
Stay Away From:
Micromanaging. Let them fall, make mistakes, and come back stronger.
Allowing apathy to creep in. Keep them engaged by connecting effort to results.
🧠 The Bigger Picture: Time Is the Currency
Kids don’t become great movers, leaders, or confident humans by accident. They’re molded by the intentional time we invest in them.
That doesn’t mean hours of coaching or lectures. It means:
Showing up.
Asking how practice went.
Going outside and shooting hoops.
Cooking a meal together and talking about what’s in it.
Modeling the habits you want them to adopt.
Whether your child becomes an athlete, an artist, or an entrepreneur, they’ll need:
Motor skills to stay healthy.
Discipline to grow.
Confidence to take risks.
And it all starts with movement.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Raise the Standard, One Day at a Time
We believe in giving every kid the tools to become the best version of themselves, starting with the body, building through the mind, and solidifying through leadership.
So, whether your child is still crawling or already competing, remember: the time you spend with them in motion is the time that matters most.
Let’s raise a generation of healthy, focused, confident kids who are ready to take on the world; one step, jump, and push-up at a time.
Want personalized support for your child’s development? Contact Top Impact Group for training, camps, and programs built to empower youth and families.
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