ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the evidence underpinning fundamental movement skill (FMS) development and its role in physical literacy with an applied focus on best practice in primary education settings to support children towards sustained participation within a positive movement culture. Physical literacy is a concept that has attracted a lot of discussion in recent years. Being physically literate allows athletes to participate in sport or physical activity with a degree of competence, hopefully leading to increased confidence, motivation, and a desire to continue engaging throughout their life. In order to improve a child’s ability to later compete in sport, or generally be physically active, it is important that they develop various physical competencies, or a set of underlying movement skills. Practitioners require an understanding of how a child’s movement is controlled and developed. Physical competence comes from a child developing the ability to self-organize the movement of their limbs or full body to complete a task.
