Grundrörelserna

Grundrörelserna, literally the basic movements, is a term used in Swedish-language education and therapy to describe a foundational set of motor actions considered essential for developing more complex skills. The exact content is not fixed and varies by curriculum and discipline, but the concept refers to core movement patterns that underlie daily functioning and skill learning.

In physical education and early childhood education, grundrörelserna typically include locomotor movements such as walking, running, jumping and hopping; stability and balance tasks such as standing on one leg and maintaining posture; and manipulative movements such as reaching, grasping, carrying, throwing, and catching. Some frameworks categorize movements into domains like locomotion, stability, and object control, while others emphasize body orientation, changes of direction, and interaction with space.

In therapy and rehabilitation, grundrörelserna provide a common vocabulary for assessing motor development and guiding interventions. They help set goals for children and adults with delays or impairments and serve as building blocks for restoring functional movement and independence.

Historically, the concept emerged with movement education reforms in the Nordic region during the 20th century, drawing on theories that view movement as foundational to physical, cognitive, and social development. Today, the exact lists of core movements are adapted to local curricula and therapeutic approaches, so definitions and emphases can differ.

See also: motor development, gross motor skills, movement education, physical education.