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MAY SKILLS - Theme Look at Me |
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1. See How Strong I Am!Children in class have been working each week on strength activities which lead
to successful gymnastic skills down the road. Working on upper body strength
help children hold their body weight up while inverted when learning cartwheels
and handstands. Stomach strength and core activities help us stabilize our spine
and have good posture. Leg strength games allow us to run and jump for
vaulting and tumbling in class, but also for other life skills like bike riding, hiking,
climbing and all around fitness. We work on all of these areas each week! |
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2. Combinations – SequencingUnderstanding the patterns to follow in class helps children get ready for school
and reading readiness. Creating short combinations to remember not only
demonstrates what skills they can do, but shows the ability to sequence separate
skills together in order. Remembering what comes next also helps ensure
listening and focus on the task at hand. It is appropriate for two year olds to
combine two things together. Three year olds can attempt 3 things in a row and
4 year olds should try to put 4 things in a sequence.
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3. Fundamental Movement SkillsThis is a good time to take stock of our movement patterns. Walking, jumping,
hopping, galloping, skipping, leaping, sliding and tiptoeing are all loco motor
activities that should be practiced. While walking, jumping with two feet, and
galloping are appropriate for two year olds to practice, Hopping on one foot and
leaping are introduced at three years old. Skipping and hopscotch using one
foot, two feet is more successful at ages 4-5. All these activities are important in
gymnastics skills as well as overall balance, coordination, and leg strength in
every day life. See how far we have come during the year with our skills. |
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4. Manipulative ActivitiesChildren explore manipulating and moving with props in many fun and
challenging ways, and learn the fundamentals of throwing and catching. Eye hand
coordination is developed by learning to track items with their eyes, then try
to catch. Bean bags, balls, balloons, scarves, and hoops are all props that are
incorporated in gymnastic classes. We add these things to help coordination, fun
and variety to class. All these activities are lifelong skills to be practiced. |
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