Category: Physical Development

• Get Moving!

  

  Fitness is an important part of a healthy lifestyle for all ages, but especially for children. Moving and being physically active is just as much about growth and development as it is a matter of fitness. Ready to get moving? Here are some simple tips for encouraging fun and exercise: READ 5 Yoga Poses for…

• 5 Yoga Poses for Toddlers

  

  Yoga provides gross motor development for toddlers as they become more self-aware of their bodies. Yoga is a perfect match for on-the-move toddlers, helping them develop balance and coordination skills and slowing down to focus and purposefully move parts of their body. Benefits of Yoga for Toddlers Gross Motor Development Through practicing yoga poses, toddlers…

• Bring on the Noise, Bring on the Fun: Supporting Loud and Active Play Throughout the Day

  

  What exactly do we mean when we talk about loud and active play at daycare and preschool? How do you encourage children to get up and get moving throughout the day? How do you know if you provide enough of the “right” kind of opportunities to help kids get moving? Read ideas for supporting loud and…

• Connecting Themes and Curriculum to Outdoor Learning

  

  When you think about outside time with your preschool, most teachers think… Finally, they get some energy out. But have you ever thought of how you can connect outside play with the theme and learning that goes on in your classroom? Have you thought about how outdoor learning can provide you with so many opportunities…

• Rumblin’ Tumblin’ Fun: Loud and Active Learning Centers

  

  Do you feel like your classroom is a WWE arena? Experiencing some challenging behaviors or struggling to set up the classroom to balance both active and quiet spaces?  You’ve come to the right place! Let’s talk about Loud and Active Learning Centers. Just like you, children need opportunities to stretch, move and experience their muscles…

• Kinesthetic Multi-Sensory Learning

  

  Kinesthetic learning is a multi-sensory approach to learning. It connects physical activity to the process of learning and requires manipulation of objects or touching materials to learn. It could include creative movement, building and crafting. Why is Kinesthetic Learning Important? When Kinesthetic learning is utilized, it increased the acquisition of skills such as geometric shape…

• Large Group Activities: Music & Movement

  

  Large Group Teaching Strategies What is the role of the teacher during large group teaching? How can you implement developmentally appropriate experiences for all children?  Learn how to design developmentally appropriate large group experiences and techniques to keep children actively engaged in large group activities including Circle Time, Storytime, and Music and Movement. READ: Large Group…

• Encouraging Independence With Self-Help Routines

  

  It is essential that educators allow time in daily routines to both teach children tasks related to self-care and time to practice the skills. Self-help skills like helping clean up toys, taking care of hygiene and learning to dress, undress, and self-feeding build a sense of independence and confidence in developing children. Read Ways to…

• Fine Motor Skills

  

  What are Fine Motor Skills? Fine motor is the ability to control small movements to manipulate small toys and tools such as crayons and scissors. Fine motor skills require control over smaller muscles in the fingers, toes, eyes, wrists and ankles. Why Are Fine Motor Skills Important? These fine motor skills, especially eye-hand coordination, are…

• Gross Motor Skills

  What are Gross Motor Skills? Gross motor function is a child’s ability to manipulate and control large movements, especially trunk, arm and leg movements. It includes traveling movements (such as crawling and walking) as well as the ability to balance, build muscle tone and strength. Why are Gross Motor Skills important? Physical strength enables children…