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For those of you who have been busy "Keeping Up The Jumping-Jacks" for the past
two weeks, you can stop and take a breather! This two weeks, we'll be
concentrating on your child and her/his motor skills.
Read on for an explanation that will help you to understand more fully! Basically, motor skills are the movements our children make. The "large" skills help a child control basic movements, while the "small" skills help to develop the detail needed to control these larger movements. Large motor skills are beginning to be developed at the time of your child's birth! When they turn their necks to watch you and what you are doing or saying, when they raise themselves off a mat or blanket or other surface, when they move their arms, legs, begin to sit-up, crawl, or even pull up to walk, they are using "large" movement muscles and developing skills that they will need for their lifetime! By the age of approximately 4 years, your child should be able to climb stairs, run, sit, stand, and walk without bumping into things, hurting themselves, or breaking things apart. These skills are what other, and more detailed movements will be based on. Some examples of these "other" skills might be tumbling and gymnastics, dance, sports etc.. Many children will be playing with other children at this age, and these types of movement will be important for play and development, including socialization. You can help your child develop these skills by partaking in the following: 1. Teach and help them to carry a tray of sorts, with items on the tray. They should be taught not to let the items "fall off" the tray! Items can be some of their toys on a child's tea set tray, or an old melamine plate you may have. Play at being a waiter or waitress! Have them help you set the table and carry items back and forth. Have them stack and carry items like plastic cups, bring fruit to the table on a tray for everyone's dessert, or even help with removal and placement of a tablecloth, placemats, napkins, plates and silverware (if your child is old enough). 2. Play with a large kick-ball! Have them kick it for a few minutes, catch and throw it for a few minutes, even run after it! (This will help both of you to stay in shape!) Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article Climb Those Stairs! in Physical Education is owned by Gina Dronenburg. Permission to republish Climb Those Stairs! in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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