Rebuilding strong foundations and addressing the pandemic’s impact on children’s physical activity and motor skills
23rd March 2025 marked 5 years since the UK went into lockdown for COVID. While many of us may appreciate some of what the pandemic bought to us… work from home Fridays anyone? We’re now seeing the effects of the pandemic on children and young people on their readiness for the classroom and ability to approach basic motor skills. In the height of the pandemic in 2020, Ofsted found that 37% teachers reported over half of Reception-aged children struggled to hold a pencil, and more recent reports indicate that this has been getting worse. With more children than ever battling mental health concerns, reduced physical activity and lack of access to sports, what can be done to help reduce the barriers to young people when trying to access sport and physical activity?
The impact of COVID-19 on physical activity and motor skills
Physical activity has always been a crucial part in a child’s development. The Chief Medical Officer recommends at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity each day to ensure healthy development. However, due to lockdowns, reduced funding and school closures, many children are missing out on the social and physical benefits which come from sport, with now almost half of children falling short of this recommendation. This is not only impacting young people’s health, but also basic motor skills. In a survey of 1,000 primary teachers in England and Wales, teachers reported that they are seeing more children in their classes with poor basic motor skills and underdeveloped muscles(1).
These effects extend beyond physical development and start to also impact young people’s mental health. With the lack of outlets to expend energy, many children are struggling to boost mood, reduce anxiety and improve their focus in the classroom. Setting up young people with a strong foundation in physical activity and movement is crucial for their development as they get older.
Many sportspeople often describe their commitment to sport as ‘building an engine’. Helping young people understand that sport can prepare them to copy with everyday life and build physical and mental resilience is crucial, as it encourage them to engage with a club, team, or session, setting them on a path to a stronger and more active future.
What should brands be doing to help?
As we look forward in supporting young people to reconnect with sports and physical activity, brands have a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact and help address the inactivity and motor skill gaps that have emerged.
Brands and organisations can collaborate with schools, local councils and community projects which look to support physical activity. This could include sponsoring after-school sports clubs, -providing equipment to underfunded schools or offering free space at clubs and classes designed for young people wanting to try out new activities. By focusing on making physical activity more accessible and fun, brands can help break down the barriers which are preventing young people from reaching their activity goals. Supporting initiatives which offer low-cost or free opportunities can help young people to get the active time they need and ensure they are not at a disadvantage throughout their journey into school and even beyond into the workplace.
At We Are Futures, we understand the critical role that physical activity plays in the development of young people. By engaging directly with students, we can gather valuable insights that inform initiatives aimed at promoting active lifestyles and enhancing motor skills. We partner with brands to design and implement programs that provide resources, support, and opportunities for physical activity in schools and communities. Together, we can break down barriers to sports participation, ensuring all young people have the chance to lead healthier, more active lives.