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Skills for February - Theme ANIMAL ANTICS
1. Patterning-The Memory Game
Teaching children to follow a pattern of movement is important for Kindergarten Readiness. Sequencing activities in gymnastics is how gymnastic “routines” are developed. Trying to remember what comes next is fun and challenging. Children start by connecting two skills together like two forward rolls in a row. Then we add another skill A good rule of thumb is 3 years old, three skills to remember, 4 years old, four skills in a row.
2. Body Awareness
Understanding how different body parts work helps children feel comfortable and boosts self esteem. By the time children are 2 ½ they can name 6 different body parts. Traveling on different body parts and isolating their actions is important and fun. When children can control their different body part actions, they are confident with their body in space. Play games at home to reinforce this such as, “touch your elbow to your knee, touch your foot to your hand, touch your nose to your toes.”
3. Animal Walks
Many gymnastic skills begin with an animal walk that transfers weight, or works on coordination and strength. Moving across the floor on all fours helps build upper body strength for handstands and cartwheels. Using children’s imaginations to practice animal walks also is fun and stimulates creativity. Problem solving skills emerge when questions are asked about how different animals move.
4. Happy Handstand!
Learning to balance on your hands upside down takes lots of strength and coordination. There are many stages of a handstand to finally get to vertical. Once children are comfortable upside down, they can focus on where their legs are while inverted. When we practice handstands we work on hand placement parallel on the floor, strong leg kick, and proper foot positions starting and ending. Keep watching us as we get stronger and more comfortable upside-down.
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