The importance of physical activity, sports, and movement in the early years

A Finnish ECEC perspective in a Bahrain context

Early childhood is a crucial period for growth, learning, and wellbeing. During the preschool years, children develop the foundations for physical health, emotional balance, social skills, and lifelong learning habits. Physical activity, sports, and daily movement play a central role in this development and are strongly emphasized in the Finnish early childhood education and care (ECEC) approach. In Bahrain, these principles can be adapted to support children’s holistic development while respecting the local climate, culture, and environment.

Movement as learning

In Finnish ECEC, children are active learners and movement is learning. Through running, climbing, balancing, dancing, and other physical play, children develop coordination, strength, spatial awareness, and body control. Movement also supports cognitive development. It improves concentration, memory, problem-solving, and creativity. Activities such as obstacle courses, ball games, and rhythmic movement integrate learning with fun.

Supporting physical development

In Finland, these abilities are often called transversal competences. These are skills that support learning and wellbeing across all areas of life. They include critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, cooperation, communication, and emotional wellbeing.

These competences develop naturally through play, storytelling, outdoor learning, and hands-on projects. When children build, imagine, and explore, they strengthen problem-solving and creative thinking. Leadership and teamwork grow as children collaborate and make decisions together, while empathy and adaptability help them navigate change with confidence.

Emotional wellbeing and social skills

Movement supports emotional wellbeing, allowing children to release energy, reduce stress, and express themselves. It also fosters self-regulation, helping children manage impulses and cope with excitement or frustration. Sports and group games teach cooperation, empathy, communication, teamwork, turn-taking, and respect for others, the skills which are all essential for social and emotional development.

Building lifelong healthy habits

When movement is enjoyable and part of daily life, children are more likely to develop lifelong active habits. Finnish ECEC emphasizes daily activity over competition, focusing on participation, personal growth, and confidence rather than performance. This approach nurtures a positive relationship with physical activity from an early age. By thoughtfully integrating movement, sports, and play into daily routines, preschools in Bahrain can support children’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development. Prioritizing daily movement gives children a strong foundation for learning, wellbeing, and a healthy, balanced future.