Activity 56 – Teach your child different movements that you know… and love!

Age Range – Preschool and Up

Area Being Developed – Motor Skills

Set up a performance area on an exercise mat, soft throw rug, or on a carpeted area. Explain that you will take turns doing various stunts. If you like any that you are supporting your child with, be sure to model it first. Next guide your child safely through the selected position. If you feel you cannot safely spot your child, get help from a friend or relative who might enjoy it. If not, please do not allow that particular movement.

Here are some suggested age-appropriate tumbles. there are many others.

• Somersaults
• Cartwheels
• Headstands
• Crab walks

Enrichment Information…

With today’s emphasis is on staying in shape and all the new ideas that go with that, it might be easy to miss out on some of the old-time ways kids used to play. Maintaining different positions is excellent for balance and muscle development. Best of all, these activities are both great fun and self-esteem building.

*Adapted from Make Your Own Preschool Games: A Personalized Play and Learn Program by Sally Goldberg, pp. 63-64

Emergent Literacy!

At first thought, you might not think there was any connection to language development at all. However, please note these important ways they are related–concentration, understanding and following directions, and expressive language. The alternative might be sitting quietly, doing busywork or watching TV. Those activities would not be nearly as valuable.

NOTE: Find out more information about emergent literacy on emergent-literacy.com.