In this brand new year, will your child be starting kindergarten? Are you asking, “Will my child be ready for kindergarten?” “What is kindergarten readiness anyway?” Could you use some answers?
This is a series of posts that looks at some of the basics of getting your child ready to start kindergarten. So far, two ways are reading books and including lots of language. Another valuable strategy is to provide opportunities for your child to move and be physically active. This helps brain development.
As adults, we only need to be stuck in an airplane seat for a few hours to appreciate the importance of moving and space. In fact, movement is critically important for early learning and brain development. Because moving is how a baby first explores and interacts with the world, moving creates a foundation for learning. We can add the sense of the position of the body in space and the sense of movement to our other five.
To help develop all kinds of brain pathways and connections for your child, include some space and time for movement activities. Playgrounds and parks aren’t luxuries, they are essentials. Dress your child for whatever the weather is in your area and spend some time outside.
For inside, sometimes, an entire house seems too small to contain all the moving energy of young children! Not all homes have a basement, but hallways often have less furniture so can be used for jumping, hopping, crab walking, etc. Some neighborhoods have community gyms accessible to families.
To support your child’s readiness for kindergarten, brain growth, and healthy development can you find some time for indoor/outdoor movement fun?
(No matter the weather, come visit at 123kindergarten.com for more learning and play fun.)