When we talk about inclusion in sport, we often think about adapted equipment, accessible environments, or specialised activities. While these elements are essential, there is something even more fundamental that shapes a child’s relationship with movement: confidence.
For children with visual impairments, confidence in their own bodies, knowing how they move, how they balance, how they navigate space, is not something to take for granted. It grows through experience, encouragement, and structured opportunities to explore movement safely. And this is precisely where early motor skills development plays a crucial role.
Why Motor Confidence Matters
Every child learns through movement. But for children with visual impairments, the lack of visual cues means they must rely more heavily on touch, hearing, proprioception and verbal guidance. This can lead to hesitation, reduced physical activity, or avoidance of new movements altogether.
When children develop strong fundamental motor skills, jumping, running, catching, balancing, they also develop:
– Spatial awareness: understanding where their body is in relation to others.
– Coordination: the ability to carry out movements smoothly and efficiently.
– Autonomy: the confidence to try, explore, and play independently.
– Social connection: participating fully with peers in games and outdoor activities.
Without these foundations, participation in sport becomes more challenging. With them, children feel empowered.
Creating a Safe Space for Exploration
One of the core messages of the “Move as you are” project is that children with visual impairments thrive when movement becomes part of everyday life, not just during sport sessions. Simple routines embedded in school or home life can create powerful opportunities for growth. For example:
– Walking along different tactile surfaces (grass, mats, sand).
– Playing games that encourage directional awareness using sound sources.
– Practising balance with support, then progressively removing assistance.
– Encouraging free exploration in safe, obstacle-free environments.
These small, consistent experiences help children build internal references that replace visual cues. Over time, they learn to trust their body and trust the space around them.
The Role of Adults: Guiding Without Limiting
Teachers, coaches, and families play a key role in supporting movement exploration. And while guidance is essential, overprotection can unintentionally limit progress. Effective support involves:
– Giving clear, simple verbal instructions.
– Offering hands-on guidance when needed, then gradually reducing it.
– Allowing children time to repeat, experiment, and make mistakes.
– Celebrating small achievements to reinforce positive experiences.
The confidence built through these interactions goes far beyond sport, it influences academic engagement, social life, and overall well-being.
Early motor experiences shape the way children approach physical activity throughout their lives. When children with visual impairments are given the chance to develop these skills early and with the right support, they grow into adolescents, and later adults, who feel confident in their bodies and in sport environments.
How the “Move as you are” Resources Help
Through the Booklet on Best Practices and the MOOC Course, the project provides concrete tools to foster motor confidence in children with visual impairments. From structured progressions in athletics and swimming to games that strengthen balance or spatial awareness, the resources show educators how to introduce movement in a way that is safe, inclusive, encouraging and developmentally meaningful.
The goal is simple: help every child build the confidence they need to move, explore, and participate fully.