Take a Tour of Our Continuum
Our Early Learning and Development Continuum includes nine domains with goals for ages birth to five. Each month these concepts are embedded in new themes and daily lesson plans. Join us as we explore the domains and show you how FunShine curricula will build skills and make learning fun!
Physical development is the ability to use muscles and body parts for a particular skill. It focuses on the development of fine motor skills, which involves the coordination of small muscles in our hands and wrists as well as gross motor skills, which involves larger muscles in our torso, legs, and arms.
Physical activities should be integrated into children’s day-to-day lives because they establish a foundation for movement and activity that will be carried with children throughout the rest of their lives. Children who have higher levels of physical activity during their childhood are likely to be more active even after they mature. This is important because physical development at an early age helps to build lifelong healthy habits.
Activities for Gross Motor Skills
Obstacle Course
Climbing, crawling, and balancing—you can combine all these activities by setting up an easy and low-prep obstacle course. The options are endless with an obstacle course; it can work outdoors and indoors. It’s also a great way to encourage children of all ages to work on their gross motor skills. Here are some ideas you can start with.
Kids Yoga
Yoga is a great way for children to strengthen their growing bodies, and it helps them improve their flexibility and balance. Yoga not only benefits children physically, but it’s a great way to introduce mindfulness practices into your classroom. Here are a few simple poses to try.
Simon Says
Playing Simon Says is a great way for children to work on their coordination skills. You can incorporate movement using left and right directionals to make it more challenging. Here are some simple commands you can use:
- Balance on one leg
- Gallop
- Jump like a frog
- Touch your toes
- Waddle like a duck
- Rub your belly and pat your head
Activities for Fine Motor Skills
Pinch and Poke Playdough
By rolling, squishing, pinching, and poking at playdough children build strength in their hands for fine motor skills in the future, such as holding scissors or a crayon. Incorporating tools is a great way to develop hand-eye coordination.
Stringing Beads
Stringing beads strengthens many skills for preschoolers. They develop pincer grasp when picking up beads to slip onto a string, which takes dexterity. These skills are essential for pre-writing activities, buttoning up a shirt, and tying shoes.
Washing Dishes
Children often want to model what they observe their caregivers doing. For us, washing dishes is a chore, but for children, washing dishes can help them develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor control, and foster a sense of responsibility.
On-the-Go Activity Cards
Transitions can often be hard for children; a change in routine or environment can impact their behavior. By having a set of readily available activities, you’re able to minimize frustration by implementing lively activities during transitions. The Physical/Health and Song/Rhyme cards included in the FunShine curricula are a great resource for gross and fine motor activities to use during transitions. Invite children to take turns choosing their favorite card.
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