There is more to physical development than just natural maturation. Movement activities will enhance a child's sense of play and provides children with the opportunity to practice those skills in a variety of context. Maintaining good health and physical development are very beneficial to young children.
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GardeningMaterial: Fenced off garden, small plants, small shovels, and watering cans
Age: 24 months+ This activity will teach how the plants grow, about fruits and veggies and about how they are good for the body to help themselves grow. The children will most likely eat something new since they have made and helped the plants grow. They will like the process of digging the holes in the dirt and discovering any bugs a long the way. They will probably grow tired of the wait of watching them grow. This activity practices fine motor skills while holding the shovel. You can explain to the children when they are older the things that the plants need to grow just like our bodies. They can learn the difference between a fruit/veggie ready for picking and one that is not. You can have the children help make a meal out of what hey have grown. Just make sure they don't eat any bugs that they have dug up. |
Stretch Baby StretchMaterials: small objects or toys
Age: 4 months+ Infants need to be stretched and use their muscles to help them develop physically. You lay the child on the floor giving them some tummy time. Place toys in front of them just out of their reach forcing them to stretch towards the toy. You can lay on the floor with the child showing them. This is also a good bonding moment. As the child gets older you can get them to army crawl and show them different ways they can use their muscles to walk like animals. Older children can even do a follow the leader like game while stretching. |
Jumping RopeMaterials: Jump Rope
Age: 24 months+ With this activity the children will love to show off their abilities and skills. You will start off with the rope on the ground having the children hop and jump over it that way. As their skills develop he rope can be raised off the ground little by little and then it can start being swung back and forth. This will also help develop their sharing skills by taking turns jumping and swinging the rope. Do this activity everyday and overtime you will see much progress in the skill as they practice. |