Have you noticed that your child doesn’t have good balance or coordination? You can help them gain these gross motor skills through fun activities.Gross motor skills involve the coordination of large muscle groups in the arms, legs, and torso with the neurological system. Raking your yard, throwing a ball and dancing are all examples of gross motor skills in action. Developing this connection between the body and mind is how we learn to balance, coordination and get a feel for our body in space. You aren’t born with gross motor skills, you develop them. Toddlers and preschoolers are still developing these gross motor skills. You can help them with fun activities like these.
Jumping Jacks
Jumping jacks are a great activity to improve coordination since the goal is to move your arms and legs at the same time. You can do jumping jacks with your child inside or outside.
Trampoline
Bouncing on a trampoline will help your child improve their balance. There are many wonderful indoor trampoline parks that you can take advantage of now. An additional perk of going to a trampoline park is that your child can socialize with other kids. You can also get a mini trampoline for home. Just be sure to follow the safety instructions.
Hopscotch
Playing hopscotch helps your kid master balance and coordination. You can also use it to practice counting. You can use sidewalk chalk or painter’s tape to make a hopscotch board on the ground.
Balloon Volleyball
Batting a balloon back and forth is an entertaining way to enhance your child’s gross motor skills. You’ll both be kept on your toes as you work to keep the balloon in the air between you.
Bubble Play
Chasing bubbles around the yard is another way that your kid can develop their gross motor skills. They’ll be working on keeping their balance and shifting their weight as they zigzag around the yard after elusive bubbles.
Playground Play
Kids use many gross motor skills as they play on a playground. Swings teach kids to coordinate their leg movements, rope ladders and wobbly bridges build up their trunk muscles and balance. Taking your child to a playground is a memorable way to enhance these skills.
Dancing or Martial Arts
Dancing and martial arts are also excellent for developing children’s gross motor skills. These types of activities develop their core muscles, motor sequencing skills and their sense of their body in space. They also enhance their balance and coordination. These activities can be especially beneficial for children with sensory processing issues.
Tricycles, Scooters & Pedal Cars
Riding a bike is the ultimate test of a child’s gross motor skills. Teaching them how to ride a tricycle, scooter or pedal car will prepare them to ride a bike in the future.Creating fun opportunities for your child to move their body is the best way to help them develop their gross motor skills. Here at Kids R Kids Avalon Park, we incorporate activities like this into the daily routine. Contact us to learn more about the fun and engaging ways we help kids develop their gross motor skills.