Stars and Rockets

Hello Blog world...

This is my very first post...and if things go well for us I shall be here week-daily with an update of the PhysEd fun we have here. I am committing to this blog for a year and in that time, I hope to lay out some semblance of a course for PE at home for parents to use as a guide.

And so I am beginning with 'Stars and Rockets'. When my daughter was two and a bit she eagerly copied and remembered how to make her body into the shape of a star and a rocket. Toddlers are very keen to please and love to model. Initially, pointers were required to assist her to straighten her arms and keep her back straight, but now at the age of four, she can very confidently get into and hold these positions.



Why did I bother to do this? Well, it develops body awareness, strength, posture.... and when my daughter started ballet and swimming lessons, these positions were often used in the instructions. The confidence derived from knowing what to do and understanding directions gives the learner a tremendous boost. Knowing the basics allows them direct their energies to build upon their skills.

The 'rocket' is standing with the feet together, arms held up straight above the head like a rocket. It is enough to aim for the biceps to be over the ears for preschoolers.


So, I am looking forward to teaching my 18month old son to do the same soon. It has had the unintended but fantastic benefit of streamlining the drying process once out of the bath/shower.