These balancing and movement activities are a great way to help youngsters explore their place in their environment. The ability to locate and change positions in space is an important first step in understanding geometry.
Materials:
household items including:
- 3″ x 5″ cards
- black marker
- length of rope about 8 feet long
- beanbag
- an open space for movement
Directions:
- Invite your child to help you make a list of different ways to move your body, using the rope as your guide. Write the movements on 3″ x 5″ cards, one movement per card. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
- walk slowly (or fast) on the rope
- walk on tippy-toes
- balance on left foot (or right foot) for 5 seconds
- walk with one foot on the rope, the other on the floor
- walk with a beanbag on your head
- Lay the rope on the floor in a straight line. Place the pile of cards face down and invite your child to join you. Explain that you will take turns turning over the cards one at a time and doing whatever the top card says.
- Have your child turn over the first card, and read it together. Then, YOU DO what the card says. Next, turn over a card, and YOUR CHILD DOES what it says. Take turns in this way until all the cards have been tried at least on.
Parent Tips:
- Playing background music adds to the fun.
- For older children, expand the movements to include running and jumping, and walking backward on the rope. You can also use the above movements in a game of Simon Says.
