Physical Development

Kindergarten Readiness – March into March

Can February March?  No, but April May.

Marching Sheep

Today is the last day of February and tomorrow is March 1st. Although some parts of the country look as white as a lamb, the old saying about March coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb is not referring to snow. No matter if the weather is still winter or hinting about spring here’s an activity about March that can be done inside or out–marching. Listen to some fun music and go for a march. March around the house or around the block. March upstairs and down. After Marching, try some tip-toeing, some big steps, and some little steps. Maybe, sliding, gliding, skipping, hopping even crawling. Try using different parts of the body, not just feet. Can you march with hands, knees, tummies?

Exploring different ways to move helps children strengthen their large muscle skills and motor coordination. While being part of kindergarten readiness this is also part of growth and development. I won’t suggest running, kids already do lots of that! 1, 2 3 March.
Hmm, could we add our own music?

Kindergarten Readiness – Valentines on the Go

Preparation for school isn’t just practicing ABC’s and 123’s. There are many aspects to kindergarten readiness and children all have their own unique gifts and talents. Hopefully your weekend has some leisure time so that you can squeeze in an activity to encourage physical development and encourage another part of readiness. It needs an open space, like a basement or yard.

Blow up a couple of balloons–red for valentines. Where there is space, tap them back and forth, trying to keep them up in the air. Just a few minutes will get hearts and pulses up, too. This is good for heart rates and the time together is good for heart feelings. Have fun and may the little ones tucker out before you! Does this sound like an activity you and your child can do?
Q. Why is lettuce the best valentine veggie? A. Because it’s all heart!

Kindergarten Readiness – Time To Turkey Trot

Doing the Turkey Trot

The month of November has been busy with 5 senses, personal development, holiday crafts and art. It’s more than time for some physical development activity. Since we’ve been talking about bodies, what are some ways that bodies can move? Here’s a few to get us moving: walk, gallop, hop, skip, jump, crawl, roll, slide, saunter, jog, tiptoe, dance, shiver, shake, limp, march, hike, swim, fly, climb, and the one that kids seem to do all the time both inside and out, run.

Just doing a few of these will give lots of exercise, wear off some energy, and develop physical and kindergarten readiness skills. (If you are creative, you may be able to shuffle in a chore or two: Let’s shiver and shake while we pick up the toys. Can we saunter the trash out to the garage? Who’s first to parade with the vacuum? ) The turkey trot sure is better than the chicken dance, wouldn’t you agree? What other moving and shaking can you suggest?

Kindergarten Readiness – G=Gross Motor

Children have amazing energy. Their seemingly endless supply of ‘go’ can be used to develop large muscle control, usually called gross motor coordination. Gross motor activities include jumping, running, hopping, rolling, dancing, twisting, tumbling, pushing, and more. Because children’s muscles are growing and developing it’s important for them to have opportunities to move and explore … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – G=Gross Motor

Kindergarten Readiness – F=Fine Motor Skills

How the muscles move and work together are often called motor skills. These are divided into small and large muscle coordination but are usually called fine or gross.  Gross or large muscle skills develop earlier than fine motor ones but f comes before g so the order will be switched. Some examples of fine motor skills … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – F=Fine Motor Skills

Kindergarten Readiness – Pirate #6

Why does it take pirates a long time to learn the alphabet? Because they are always at C (sea). One way to practice letters is with play-dough. This helps for all kids, but especially for those who learn best by touch as opposed to visual or verbal learners. Roll out the barrel, er, I mean roll … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Pirate #6