Starting school is a big milestone — and school readiness is about a lot more than having the right backpack or lunchbox. It also means being physically ready for the everyday demands of a classroom: sitting still, holding a pencil, standing in line, and moving safely around a busy room.
The good news is that these physical foundations can be built through everyday play, long before your child ever sits at a school desk. In the video below, physical literacy expert Karol Dillon Rooney of SIMPLE Physical Literacy explains what “school ready” really means and shares practical ways to help your child get there.
Read on for more detail on each of the key skills, along with simple games you can play at home to help develop them.
Motor Planning
Motor planning is the ability to plan and carry out a new physical movement, in the right order, from start to finish. Children who are good at motor planning can figure out an unfamiliar activity with ease — a useful skill for a classroom full of new routines.
A fun way to build motor planning is the “body shake”: start by shaking one hand, then both hands, then an arm, then both arms, and keep going until your child is shaking their whole body — neck, head, trunk and legs included.
Balance
Standing in line, sitting in a chair, and walking safely around the classroom all rely on good balance. This is controlled by the vestibular system, which should be well developed by around 4–5 years of age.
The good news is that improving balance doesn’t need special equipment — it just needs play. Try encouraging your child to:
- Roll in the grass (downhill is optional!)
- Tumble on the couch
- Visit the playground for a go on the roundabout, slide, see-saw and swings
- Ride a scooter or balance bike
Any game that gets your child moving their head from side to side, or backwards and forwards, helps stimulate the vestibular system and build better balance.
Bilateral Co-ordination
Bilateral co-ordination is the ability to use both sides of the body smoothly together, without getting in a tangle. It starts with symmetrical movements — using both sides in the same way — before developing into alternating movements, like climbing a ladder or holding paper steady with one hand while cutting with the other.
Garden games are a great way to build this skill:
- Throwing and catching
- Balloon volleyball
- Crawling through tunnels
- Climbing a rope
Hand-Eye Co-ordination
Developing a dominant hand and foot, along with a good sense of direction, helps prevent letter reversals such as b/d, p/q and m/w when children start writing.
Crawling is a brilliant activity for developing the eyes at reading and writing distance, as well as building directional awareness. Try crawling races in the garden, or blow table tennis balls across the kitchen floor on a rainy day. The distance from a crawling child’s eyes to their hands is similar to the distance a book or copybook will be from their eyes at school — so crawling isn’t just for babies.
Crossing the Midline
Crossing the midline means being able to move a hand, leg, eye or ear across an imaginary line down the centre of the body. It comes into play when writing, kicking a ball, reading, and even listening.
Fun ways to build this skill include:
- Playing “Simon Says” with instructions like touch your elbow or touch your opposite ear
- Throwing water balloons at an off-centre target (Mum or Dad make great targets!) on sunny days
- Lining up skittles and knocking them down
Proprioception
Proprioception is a child’s sense of where their body parts are and what they’re doing, without needing to look — for example, buttoning a coat, finding something in a pocket, or knowing which way to turn a tap.
Try climbing on a rope, bouncing on a trampoline, or — for indoor days — throwing and catching a heavy cushion.
Rhythmic Movement
Keeping a strong, steady beat underpins many everyday skills, from walking and swimming to writing and painting. Children who struggle to keep a steady beat may also have some delay in motor skill development.
Encourage rhythmic movement through marching on the spot, musical chairs, musical statues, and ball games. Banging out a tune on saucepans or other household “instruments” works just as well as a real drum kit.
Is My Child School Ready?
Every child develops at their own pace, and there’s no single test for “school ready.” Instead, it’s worth watching for a general sense of physical confidence — can your child balance, coordinate both sides of their body, and manage simple movements without excessive frustration? If you have concerns about your child’s physical development ahead of starting school, it’s always worth having a chat with your child’s preschool teacher or GP, who can advise on next steps.
For more tips and advice on physical literacy and movement development, visit SIMPLE Physical Literacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “school ready” actually mean?
It means more than knowing letters and numbers. School readiness includes the physical skills a child needs for the classroom — balance, co-ordination, sitting still, and controlling pencils and scissors — alongside the usual academic and social skills.
At what age should these physical skills be developed?
Many of these foundational skills, such as balance through the vestibular system, are typically well developed by around 4–5 years of age, which lines up with the usual school starting age.
Do I need special equipment to help my child prepare?
No. All of the activities above use everyday play — garden games, playground visits, household items, and simple movement games — rather than specialist equipment.
What if my child seems behind on some of these skills?
Every child develops differently, and a little catching up before or during the early months of school is completely normal. If you’re concerned, talk to your child’s preschool teacher, GP, or an occupational therapist for guidance.
Can these activities help once my child has already started school?
Yes. These are simply good movement foundations, so they remain useful well beyond the first few weeks of school and can be woven into everyday play at any age.
Related Articles
- Fun Ways to Boost Fine Motor Skills Before School
- Preparing Your Child Emotionally for the First Day of School
- Simple Games to Build Confidence in Preschoolers
Save These Ideas for Later
Getting your child school ready doesn’t have to mean expensive classes or gadgets — most of it comes down to good old-fashioned play. Bookmark this page or share it with another parent who might find it useful as they prepare for the new school year.
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