Activity 36: Step Up and Step Down!

Age Range: 2 1/2-Years-Old on…

Area being Developed: Motor (Activity & Exercise)

Find some handy stairs. Then take your child’s hand and walk up. Start with three steps. Then turn around and walk down.  Here is a rhyme to go with your climb:

One, two, three; look at me.

Three, two, one; that was fun.

 

If you would like your child to climb higher, try this:

One, two, three, four; up one more.

Four, three, two, one; that was fun.

 

Here are more rhymes up to ten:

 

One, two, three, four, five; more alive.

Five, four, three, two, one; that was fun.

 

One, two, three, four, five, six; great for kicks.

Six, five, four, thee, two, one; that was fun.

 

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven; high to heaven.

Seven, six, five, four three, two, one; that was fun.

 

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight; I feel great.

Eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one; that was fun.

 

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine; now I’m fine.

Nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one; that was fun.

 

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten; try again.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one; that was fun.

Dr. Sally Says…

Walking up stairs is a great exercise for any age, even adulthood. While a few steps is good for your child, you might want to exercise on a full flight. If you do not have a staircase available, you can use a step ladder for your child.

 

RELATED MILESTONES OF DEVELOPMENT

* Improves walking balance

* Walks upstairs with alternating feet

* Takes pride in achievements, resists help

* Follows directions