By Melanie Buchele, Denver area District Leader, KinderCare Learning Centers
As a District Leader at KinderCare Learning Centers in the Denver area, I see something powerful every day: children running, climbing, jumping, and balancing—not just to burn energy, but to build essential life skills.
We often think of early learning as something that happens at a table in a classroom, through letters and numbers. But for young children, learning starts with their bodies. Movement isn’t extra, it’s foundational.
What Gross Motor Skills Teach
Gross motor development refers to large-muscle movements like walking, skipping or throwing a ball. These actions help children strengthen their bodies, but also support focus, problem-solving, and emotional growth.
At centers like KinderCare, kids are encouraged to move with a purpose. They climb, pedal, balance, and crawl, not just for the fun of it, but to develop coordination and confidence that will serve them long after the playground days are done.
This is all part of our whole-child approach that helps children thrive physically, socially, and academically. The research-based curriculum created by early childhood education experts supports growth in six key areas: cognitive development, executive function, language and literacy, creative expression, social and emotional development, and physical development and wellness.
Confidence Through Play
One of my favorite moments is seeing a hesitant toddler take on a challenge they used to avoid like climbing the ladder to slide, balancing on a beam, jumping with both feet. When they finally do it successfully? Their face lights up with pride. That’s confidence being built in real time.
We celebrate those wins just as much as we cheer for learning the alphabet. Because when kids believe in their bodies, they begin to believe in themselves.
Designed for Growth
We’ve created intentional environments that support big movements like trike paths, climbing structures, and indoor gross motor zones, including sensory exploration and dramatic play, to accommodate all of our four seasons and various physical abilities in children.
Our educators are trained to recognize and support gross motor milestones, just like they are with literacy or social-emotional learning. We don’t treat physical development as a bonus; we believe it’s a key part of how we help children thrive beyond the classroom.
Encouragement for Parents
While it can feel like your child is bouncing on the couch or spinning in circles in the backyard due to excess energy, know that it’s not just that. It’s purposeful growth. Movement helps them learn how their body works, how to solve problems, and how to recover from setbacks.
It also gives them something every parent wants for their child: confidence. We encourage our parents to go outdoors when the weather permits and help their child explore nature beyond their backyard or a playground. While story time and ABCs are still important, don’t underestimate the importance of a fun adventure.
Want to see gross motor learning in action?
Schedule a tour at our newest centers including SouthGlenn KinderCare in Centennial, Broomfield Palisade KinderCare in Broomfield, Greenwood Village KinderCare in Greenwood, or your closest KinderCare Learning Center in the Denver area, or visit KinderCare.com to learn more about our curriculum and the role of movement in whole-child development.