Zigzag Lines

Zig Zag as a pathway appears in many sports and team games; skiing, dribbling in hockey, ducking and weaving in ball games. Changing directions whilst moving at a pace is described at agility and is important in many running games.

Seeing the patterns, and then using the patterns in their movement experiences gives them the foundation for when they search for a way to navigate through obstacles.

I used masking tape to make one zigzag line on the rug. We then walked along it, pushed toy cars along it and then stepped, ran and jumped over it. Many creative suggestions were put forward regarding how one might travel along and/or over it.

This activity took place over the course of the day. The zigzag line was put in place at breakfast. Allowing plenty of time for the inspiration and ideas to flow through and then the opportuntiy to return to the activity results in richness in the results - one of the many benefits of doing PhysEd at home.

Also, a larger carpeted area would have also been handy.

Line Jumping

Using any line on the floor, this activity develops laterality, Left and Right Concepts, directionality, static and dynamic balance and creativity.

A masking tape could be used on the floor to mark the line.  The line could be anywhere from 1 m to 4 m. This could be done with one child or small groups.

Ask your little one to listen and look up at you when you are directing. Pause until you have their attention before you begin instructions.

The instructions are:
Jump over the line; forwards, backwards. Take off and land on two feet in a controlled manner.
Jump over the line and do a quarter turn whilst in the air, turn to the left/and or right.
Jump over the line by taking off on one foot and land on two feet.
With feet side by side, jump from one side to the other - forward and backwards.
Straddle with feet on either side of the line and jog with high knee raises along the length of the line

What combination of the above could be put together in a routine?
How else could the line be traversed? crossed?

Make up a little song or rap to help remember the routine.

Mirror Mirror

Children love to observe themselves in the mirror.....a whole lot of understandings and connections begin and continue to take place when then do.

Recently, we were at a shopping venue and saw our image on the security camera, and it was noted by the Preschooler that the image was "...not the same side".

So we have been playing 'Mirror Mirror' today to capitalize on the episode. It is a fun game and a good opportunity to talk about opposites, object, image, left and right.

Ask your Preschooler to pretend they are looking into the mirror - they are the object, you are the image and you copy their actions.

Swap over. When it is your turn model good posture and slow but interesting movements that increases their repertoire of actions. Enlist other Preschoolers to play with yours.

Walking Stilts

I love these walking stilts. I wish they would take my weight as I would love to use them.

It has taken a while for her to be comfortable on them. I wish I had presented this to her first madebyjoel - toddler-stilts

But as my Preschooler gained confidence balancing on them, I have become increasingly creative with path I create for her. I trace/draw various figures/lines on the driveway or mat. Figure of eights, zig zag lines, wavy lines etc.

We try sideways, backwards, small steps, large steps, cross over/grapevine etc...

Lots of quiet (concentrating) fun - which gives me about 30 minutes or so to carry out essential tasks like cook dinner/play with my toddler/tackle the washing?

These stilts are made for walking..

Rock, Bridge, Tree Relay

Every PE teacher has a  few favourite games they revert to. I would like to share one of mine here -albeit modified for my little one and her friends. This game develops fitness, reinforces their understanding of position/direction words, improves teamwork, spatial awareness and coordination . It is also a lot of fun.

The actual game is a relay race - teams of four are spaced along a line. One member of the team is the Runner, one is a Rock, one is a Bridge, and one is the Tree. The runner sprints to and jumps over the Rock, crawls under the bridge and circles the Tree - sprinting in between. Then the members of the team change roles.

This is how I modified it for my Preschooler and her friends.

Practice the positions first; as well as transitioning form Rock to Bridge to Tree. Nominate a Preschooler to be a runner who stands with me at home base, while the other Preschooler is about 5m away in the shape of the Rock.

 On the word "Go", the runner runs to the Rock, jumps over it and runs back to me for a high five.

 

 Meanwhile the Rock turns into a Bridge. Immediately after the high five, the runner sprints to the Bridge, crawls under it and returns to me for another high five.

Meanwhile, the Bridge turns into a Tree. Immediately after the high five, the runner sprints back to the Tree and runs around it before returning home for the final high five.

 Swap roles.

Adjust the running distance to allow for the appropriate amount of time between the home base and the Rock, Bridge, Tree. Take the opportunity to emphasize the position/direction words written above in bold.

There will be huffing and puffing in amidst all the laughter.

Music and Movement...

...go together like a Horse and Carriage. Where would Early Childhood Education be without it?

Children LOVE it, every early childhood educator would have to admit they get a kick out of it, and I am pretty sure parents dig it too.

And there are so many 'music and movement' offerings on the market - some more music than movement. Where to begin?

Here is my recommendation:

This is the blurb:
These field-tested "learning through movement" activities encourage eye-hand, aural-motor, and visual motor coordination. They also develop body image, balance, laterality, directionality, and visual perception. Easy to introduce to your class, the activities do not require partners or constant teacher direction. 

You can hear samples of each track from Perceptual Motor Rhythm Games 
Check out the track Move Like A Machine (Electronic) and Clap and Shake #1 (Ballin' The Jack) with voice cues.

I bet you won't be able to stop grinning and tapping your toes.

Have a listen and drop me a line to tell me what you think - especially if you try it on your little ones.

What about you? Do you have a recommendation you would like to share? Click on the word 'comment' at the end of the post. I would love to hear from you.

Obstacle Course :: Phase 1

We found some off-cuts of wood from the side of the road - the size and shape were perfect as stepping stones or little stools.

This became an inspiration for an obstacle course of sorts. Located by the front gates, it is used frequently and makes great use of a corner in the garden.

Plans are to add a walking plank, some form of tunnel and a climbing wall along with more plants. Obstacle courses are great for developing fitness in a fun way. The trick is to get the right balance between being challenging and achievable. The use of time to measure improvement is a good way to track progress.

The obstacle course can be a great opportunity to extend the movement vocabulary. Learning words such as under, over, beside, inside, outside, around, along, between while doing it is a more meaningful experience.