18,333 Kilometres Apart, Still Growing Alike: The Magic of Development Across Hemispheres

18,333 Kilometres Apart, Still Growing Alike

A physiotherapist’s reflection on the universality of childhood movement

When I moved from Wales to New Zealand, I expected a lot to be different—accents, weather, landscapes. But one thing stayed remarkably the same: how children move.

From rolling to crawling, sitting to walking, the movement patterns of children on opposite sides of the world are beautifully alike. Despite cultural differences and climate contrasts, the way a child’s brain and body grow and learn is universal.

This realisation deepened my fascination with child development. Movement, it turns out, is more than physical—it's how the brain builds itself. From a newborn's reflexive grip to a toddler's confident steps, every wiggle, wobble, and stretch is laying down vital brain pathways.

No matter where they are born, children grow with the same astonishing magic. And for those of us lucky enough to witness it every day, it’s a reminder of just how incredible development really is.