Structured physical activity

[playfelt]

I try to do 1 - 2 sessions over the day that involve a physical skill. It could be hopping like a bunny if we have read a bunny story or two feet together jumping into a pretend frog pool. We do body awareness songs - like head and shoulders or similar and make arm circles or bend to touch toes, etc. I try to do one session that involves a piece of equipment such as bean bags, balls, etc. Things like just standing back and tossing them into a basket.

Personally I don't worry about the active time because my kids run around when they freeplay as compared to the kind that sit to do a puzzle or read a book or stand in the kitchen centre and cook. Mine push the big trucks around and around the house, make cars go down the track and flip off and go chase them so they make their own active play.

At the same time I think it is important to start to teach skills to the kids like bouncing, tossing, catching, rolling balls, - start with beanbags more forgiving. Jumping, standing on one foot, all of the skills that are expected of a 3-5 year old need to be started as 2-3 year olds. It is a good time to identify kids that have skill/balance issues.