ABCs of Gross Motor Day 4: P-T
Welcome to Day 4 of the ABCs of Gross Motor. I will say some letters were harder than others and today has some of those.
P is for Play
Never mistake playing outside for a lack of gross motor. Simple areas can be perfect for play! Playgrounds are wonderful, but so is just running in a field. You never know when you will find a great way to make gross motor play. Challenge them to go down the slide 10 times. See how many times they can walk the balance beam. Try a new part of the playground they don’t normally use.
Here are some great P Blog Posts:
This Reading Mama – Puzzle Race
Go Kid Yourself – Put me in, Coach!
The Educators Spin On It: Giant Pattern Blocks – Teaching Math to Tots with Movement
About Family Fitness – Physical Activities to Build Your Preschooler’s Gross Motor Skills
Q is for Quality
Quality vs quantity was something I heard a lot about when I was in school. The teachers had us repeat the same thing over and over to get the quantity they wanted. Often they were looking for us to develop quality.
So ask the question: how is the quality of the activity going? Are we focusing on quantity today? Will repeating something poorly help them learn? Make sure what they are doing is of good quality. When their attention starts to wander it might be time to move on rather than pushing for more.
R is for Running
Running is a great gross motor skill. It uses many different muscles. Kids, like adults, need to work their heart and running is a great way to do that. Have them run between different areas. Make it a challenge. When you have lots of kids don’t make it about winning. Have everyone run to the same spot, then pick a new spot.
Here are some great R Blog Posts:
NurtureStore – Add Ribbons and Swirl
Go Kid Yourself – Give Him Just Enough Rope to LEARN Himself
S is for Sports
Sports are great for kids but not all kids are suited for them. You can still explore them at home. I do this with my girls a lot. We like to act out different sports. We will pretend to swim on the floor, ski down mountains, climb up ladders, play baseball, and practice our swings in tennis. There are many ways you can explore sports without ever leaving home.
Here are some great S Blog Posts:
I Can Teach My Child – Stoplight Beanbag Toss
Creative Learning Fun – Side Walk Chalk Game – Put out the fire
Learn With Play At Home – Soft Toy Toss
Creative Family Fun – Silly Races
Growing a Jeweled Rose – Shaving Cream Sliding Fun!
This Reading Mama – Sidewalk Chalk Sight Words
T is for Teamwork
Teamwork is a great skill to learn. Not everything has to be about who comes in first or last. Make activities they have to work on together. We recently started doing Chinese Jumprope 
Here are some great T Blog Posts:
True Aim – Tissue Dance
Go Kid Yourself – Tennis Tyke
Teach Preschool – Tape Line
Preschool Express – Toddler Gross Motor Activities
Starfish Therapies – 3-D Masking Tape Maze
Check back tomorrow for ABCs of Gross Motor Day 5: U-Z! This is the final day for the series!
ABCs of Gross Motor Day 1: A-E
ABCs of Gross Motor Day 2: F-J
ABCs of Gross Motor Day 3: K-O
MAMA TIPS and TRICKS
- Being a Hands on Mom from hands on : as we grow
- Connecting with your Kids from One Perfect Day
- Family Field Trips with Kids from Edventures with Kids
- Fun Healthy Snacks for Kids from Juggling with Kids
- Kids Party Ideas from Mama Pea Pod
- Mama Survival from The Dizzy Mom
- Organized Home from Mamas Like Me
- Printables from Mama Miss
- Raising Boys from Boy Mama Teacher Mama
- Raising Eco-Friendly Kids from Kitchen Counter Chronicles
- Raising Girls from Mess for Less
- Raising a Healthy Kid from Living Life Intentionally
- Raising a Thinking Child from The Outlaw Mom
- Raising Toddlers from Home Learning Journey
- Raising a World Citizen from All Done Monkey
- Simply Celebrating Holidays as a Family from Inspired by Family Magazine
- Teaching Kids about Money from Carrots are Orange
- The Family Dinner Table from Connecting Family & Seoul
- Trying A New Experience with Your Children from 52 Brand New
- Values for Children from True Aim Education
Cassie – 3Dinosaurs.com
Disclaimer: This is not intended to be the end all of gross motor but just ideas that can be used and should not replace something else you are doing. This is not medical advice either.
JDaniel’s swim teacher has him doing “land training” at home. I have been doing it with him. It is fun to swim on land.
I use to teach swim lessons years ago. It is a lot of fun to do land swimming. my girls just love it!