Book excerpt: Why is movement so important to ensuring young children's smooth overall development? How may their physical skills be supported by adults? And what are the implications for practice? Answering these questions and more, this book clearly demonstrates the link between physical competency and emergent literacy and numeracy. The first half introduces the eight core principles of movement-based learning. It explains why movement plays such a critical role in children's development and how physical activity underpins the skills that support effective communication and school-readiness. The second suggests ways in which they may be implemented in practice with all children from birth to five years. All children need to be confident and competent movers, effective communicators and ready to tackle the challenges of new experiences and environments. This book will provide the knowledge and tools to ensure that they are.