Volume 5, Issue 9
April 23, 2007

With spring here at last, and summer on the way, it's a great time to think about getting your children outside to enjoy some physical activity. The National Association of Sports and Physical Education recommends that each day preschoolers get at least an hour of structured physical activity and an hour of unstructured activity. Preschoolers have a natural tendency to be active, so why not take advantage of that and use these activities to get your class up and moving?

Susan LaBella
Editor, Early Childhood Education Newsletter

HOOP HOPPING
Scatter on the ground one-half as many hoops as the number of children. Each child chooses a hoop and stands outside it. On the command, "Run" (or Hop, or Skip, or Jump) children run randomly around the hoops without touching anyone or any hoops. On the command "Hoops" children must find the nearest hoop and jump inside.

TOSSING GUMDROPS
Create scoops from clean bleach bottles. Cut at an angle starting just below the handle. Provide balls of brightly colored yarn tightly wound. Have pairs of children use scoops to toss two colored "gumdrops" back and forth.

RING AROUND THE ROSIE
Use this activity at circle time or on the playground. It is a great way to liven up the day. Have children stand in a circle and sing this familiar song. As everyone tumbles to the floor on "We all fall down," start tapping your feet and chanting these words: "The sheep are in the meadow, eating buttercups, A-tishoo, A-tishoo, We all stand up!"

STEPPING IN PUDDLES
Create free-form shapes out of foil. Glue each shape onto construction paper and when it is dry cut out each "puddle" from the construction paper. Place the puddles all around the room. Play music, telling children when the music stops everyone has to be on a puddle.

HIT THE WALL!
Use a space between two walls or a wall and a fence. On the command "Go" groups of children run from one wall and stop at the other. Challenge children with different ways to run -- on tip toes, with arms up high, by jumping, by twisting, or running in a zig zag pattern.

RUB, RUB, RUB
Give each child a large piece of paper and some colored chalk. Have children go outside to search in their surroundings for different kinds of textures. Some examples might be tree bark, patio brick design, the pavement, wood siding, and so on. Show children how to place their papers on the texture they wish and to rub the chalk over it. Discuss children's findings.

A FUN FINGERPLAY
Help everyone learn and perform the movements of this little rhyme.
Move 'em up, move 'em down (move fingers up then down )
Shake both hands all around (shake hands in air)
Twist, then bend, from side to side (twist torso, then bend left, then right)
Show us how you can glide (move feet over floor as if gliding)
Now put your hands on your hips (put hands on hips)
Make a BIG smile with your lips! (children smile)

Check out the following Web sites for additional background and activities.

Preschool Creative Movement
You'll find some good game suggestions here.
http://perpetualpreschool.com/music-and-movement-activities/

Instrument Games
This page includes a great activity in which kids use rhythm sticks and a bell. (Scroll down the page to find the activity from Marie.)
http://perpetualpreschool.com/daily-themes-preschool-curriculum/

Preschool Learning Games
Check out these nicely organized lists of games.
http://www.preschoolexpress.com/game_station.shtml

Music and Movement
Let these things work together to enhance children's creativity.
http://www.preschooleducation.com/art15.shtml

All the Daze Games and Fitness
Help students develop healthy bodies with this large section of stretching exercises, games, and more.
http://www.allthedaze.com/gamesmenu.html