Importance of Motor Skills in Children: The Necessity of Physical Activity for Our Offspring

In today's world, children are facing challenges that their predecessors of a century ago never had to contend with. One such challenge is the decline in physical activity, a trend that has been steadily increasing over the years.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), figures from 2006 confirm this worrying trend in Western Europe, including Ireland where at least 50 percent of adolescents are moving enough. However, this is not the case for many other regions, as shown by the statistics from France, where only one in ten girls and one in five boys manage to meet the recommended one hour of daily physical activity.

The problem lies not only in the lack of exercise but also in the loss of traditional games and activities. Children in 1900 knew about 100 movement games, but today, only four or five remain. This decline is evident in Germany, where there has been a steady decline in performance at the German Sports University in Cologne for years.

The appeal of traditional playground equipment is waning, and the remaining movement games are rarely playable in cities. Playgrounds for small children do exist, but they are not always well-maintained and equipped with outdated play equipment.

When playground activities lose their appeal, there is a lack of alternatives for children. The WHO offers a simple and ingenious solution: the jump rope. This inexpensive piece of sports equipment can be used by adults, and its handling is child's play. The jump rope is recommended by the WHO as a way to promote movement and reduce the risk of many diseases, as well as significantly reduce stress and anxiety.

However, it seems that the implementation of an additional mandatory sports hour in school is not on the horizon, due to budget constraints. In such a situation, it is crucial that organisations such as the Verband kinderreicher Familien Deutschland e.V. (KRFD), TSA Bildung und Soziales gGmbH, KiNiKi, Kolping Familienferienstätten, and SchutzengelWerk in Berlin step in to promote active leisure activities for children. These organisations offer a variety of programs that connect families, provide inclusive social education, help disadvantaged children, offer family holidays and youth work, and support children with sports, cultural activities, and educational help.

In the end, the decline in physical activity among children is a complex issue, much like wanting to give a classical concert but only being able to play "All My Ducks" on the recorder. It requires a multi-faceted approach, including the revival of traditional games, the promotion of simple and affordable sports equipment like the jump rope, and the support of organisations that encourage physical activity and social interaction for children.