Strong Moves, Strong Minds: Did You Know That Physical Development Boosts Executive Skills?

Jordanna Spaulding
Sep 8
3 min read

Updated: Sep 9

"Beyond play: working on becoming smarter"

As a parent, you want to support your little one in every way possible.

Did you know that everyday play activities involving movement can do much more than build strong muscles? They also nurture your toddler’s executive functioning, language skills, and overall cognitive growth.

Early motor milestones—like crawling, walking, running, and climbing—give children real-life practice with important skills such as inhibition, attention-shifting, focus, and working memory.

By engaging in simple, fun activities at home, your child can strengthen their ability to plan, solve problems, communicate, and think critically — all while building motor skills and enjoying social interactions.

Here are a few playful activities that build those big muscle groups while also boosting language, thinking skills, and social confidence.

1. Animal Walks

Animal walks are a playful way to strengthen coordination, self-regulation, and flexibility in thinking. Plus, they promote vocabulary growth as toddlers learn the names of animals and imitate their movements.

How to Try It at Home?

Encourage your toddler to crawl like a bear, jump like a frog, or scuttle sideways like a crab. Say the animal names and describe their actions out loud—for example, “The bear crawls on its hands and feet.”

Cognitive & Language Boost: This activity builds planning and flexibility as your child figures out how to move their body. They also expand vocabulary with animal names and action words like “hop,” “crawl,” or “jump.”

Social Benefit: Acting out animals together encourages communication, laughter, and bonding—especially if siblings or parents join in!

2. Ball Kicking and Catching

A classic favorite that develops hand-eye coordination, motor planning, and problem-solving, while also encouraging communication.

How to Try It at Home?

Gently roll or toss a soft ball to your toddler and encourage them to kick or catch. Use simple phrases like “Kick the ball!” or “Catch it with both hands!”

Cognitive & Language Boost: Improves focus and planning while introducing action words like “kick,” “catch,” and “throw.”

Social Benefit: Builds cooperation, turn-taking, and self-expression during play.

3. Obstacle Course

Obstacle courses are excellent for motor planning, executive function, and language skills as toddlers follow instructions and talk about what they’re doing.

How to Try It at Home?

Use cushions, blankets, and chairs to create tunnels and small challenges. Give clear instructions like, “Crawl under the table!” or “Jump over the pillows!”

Cognitive & Language Boost: Strengthens problem-solving, sequencing, and listening comprehension.

Social Benefit: Encourages teamwork, confidence, and communication when children take turns or help each other through.

4. Dancing and Movement to Music

Dancing is pure fun—but it also improves self-regulation, body control, and cognitive flexibility while introducing rhythm and patterns.

How to Try It at Home?

Play upbeat music and invite your toddler to clap, jump, spin, or sway. Add action words like “clap,” “spin,” “stop,” and “jump” as they move. Feel free to introduce your favorite songs too.

Cognitive & Language Boost: Builds memory, sequencing, and comprehension as children link movements to words.

Social Benefit: Encourages emotional expression and connection through shared joy and interaction.

5. Push and Pull Toys

Simple yet powerful, push-and-pull play builds motor strength, problem-solving, and understanding of motion and direction.

How to Try It at Home?

Offer a push toy like a shopping cart or a pull toy like a wagon. Prompt your toddler with phrases like, “Push the cart forward” or “Pull the wagon back.”

Cognitive & Language Boost: Enhances problem-solving and introduces vocabulary like “forward,” “backward,” “push,” and “pull.”

Social Benefit: Sparks cooperative play, turn-taking, and conversation.

Experience It All at COMPASS Learning Advantage!

At COMPASS Learning Advantage, we know that play is the most powerful tool for learning. That’s why our COMPASS Baby weekly programming is designed to help your little one grow in all areas—motor, cognitive, language, and social through playful activities.