Elementary Athlete Development (Grades TK–5) “The Foundation Years"

Trevor Sablan
4 days ago
2 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

What’s the Goal at This Stage?

Build a well-rounded, confident mover. The goal isn’t sport specialization—it’s helping kids learn how to move well, stay active, and enjoy physical activity. Think skills before drills.

We want to develop:

- Motor control (how well they coordinate their body)

- Balance, agility, and spatial awareness

- Confidence in movement and body awareness

- A love of being active—through play, not pressure

What Does “Foundational Movement” Actually Mean?

This is where we build the neurological and muscular wiring that supports all future athletic ability. We’re talking about:

- Locomotor skills: running, hopping, skipping, galloping

- Stability skills: balance, single-leg standing, body control in space

- Object control: throwing, catching, kicking, striking

- Core strength & posture awareness: crawling, rolling, climbing, static holds

These are the building blocks for every sport. Without them, kids are more likely to develop poor movement patterns, struggle with coordination, or get injured later on.

🧠 Research: The Canadian Sport for Life model recommends a “FUNdamentals” stage from ages 6–9, where kids learn basic motor skills before any formal training begins. (LTAD, 2020)

🏃‍♀️ What Kind of Training is Appropriate?

NOT strength training with weights. Instead:

• Bodyweight exercises: squats, animal walks, jumping, crawling

• Games that build agility and coordination: obstacle courses, tag, balance beam work

• Exploratory movement: climbing, dancing, tumbling, playing in multiple environments

Keep it fun, fast-paced, and varied.

Training sessions should be:

• 30–60 minutes of activity per day

• A mix of free play, structured games, and light technique practice

• Focused on quality of movement, not competition or performance

🍽️ What Should They Be Eating?

Elementary athletes don’t need sports-specific diets—but they do need consistent, balanced meals to support growth, brain development, and energy levels.

Basic guidelines:

• Eat every 3–4 hours (breakfast, lunch, dinner + snacks)

• Focus on whole foods: fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats

• Hydration is key: water, not sports drinks, unless they’re in intense heat or activity

• Limit sugar, fast food, and high-caffeine items (no energy drinks)

Teaching basic food awareness now—like “a fruit, a veggie, and a protein at each meal”—builds lifelong habits.