In this section we explore how the large muscles of the legs and core strengthen to progress from learning to push feet into the ground to rise, through to jumping with increasing height and distance. Keep reading to find out how the skills for jumping emerge, what these emerging skills look like, and the games you could play to encourage skill development.

Building blocks for jumping

Learning to push feet down into the ground to rise

Simple jumping

Learning to push downwards to leave the ground momentarily.

Advanced jumping

Increasing distance, height, speed or changing direction

Preschoolers

  • Jump from a higher surface and land safely, bending knees

  • Jump forwards, backwards and sideways

  • Shows a growing ability to perform a range of jumps - two feet to one foot, one foot to two feet, hopping, skipping etc

  • Jumps/leaps over objects from a stationary position or whilst on the move

  • Jump a rope turned by an adult.

Activities

See what activities can help to support this core skill.

See Activities

Early movers is a collaborative project between Loughborough University, the NCSEM and Loughborough campus nursery. Our work has been supported with Loughborough University Enterprise Funding through the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF).