I came across the National INstitute of play. They have studied the benefits of all different kinds of play. I’ve decided for this first week of quarantine for my family, I would be studying and implementing (and sharing with you) one of these areas of play every day.
Today, the category is MOVEMENT.
The benefits to this kind of play seem pretty apparent to me: EXERCISE! It is healthy, it helps these little bodies full of energy release that energy in a productive way.
But there is even more to it!
Learning about self movement structures an individual’s knowledge of the world – it is a way of knowing, and we actually, through movement and play, think in motion. For example the play-driven movement of leaping upward is a lesson about gravity as well as one’s body. And it lights up the brain and fosters learning. Innovation, flexibility, adaptability, resilience, have their roots in movement.
National Institute of Play
Incredible, right?! So much is learned by our children about themselves and the world around them when we allow them to play.
Here are a few ideas that you might like to try!
Races
- Mini Obstacle Course: JUMP, spin in a circle, touch your toes
- Crawling, crab walking, wheelbarrow, hopping on one foot
- Use a stopwatch and let the kids try and beat their time.
- Following a certain path
These are great because they don’t need ANYTHING, just their bodies and space.
Action Songs
- Button Factory
- Once their Was A Snowman
- The Princess Pat
- Itsy Bitsy Spider
- Ring Around the Rosies
- Hokey Pokey
- Chicken Dance
- Limbo
- Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
If you have never been on Go Noodle I HIGHLY recommend it! Lots of moving activities and action songs. Even if you aren’t comfortable with them always looking at a screen, its a great resource to learn new songs.
Honestly, you can take any song your kids know and add actions to it to make it movement play!
Outdoor
- Ball Sports: Soccer, catch, basketball
- Hikes
- Neighborhood walks (although, you probably should still avoid people)
- Chalk obstacle course
- Bike
- Playground play
There really are endless activities to do that involve movement! I hope that this gave you a couple more ideas to fill this day.
**Don’t forget to enter our giveaway on social media!
