Thriving Through Play: Gross-Motor Activities for Growing Preschoolers
Children grow tremendously from birth through age five, so it is vital that we are there to support them. At our preschool, we help children with balancing skills, hand-eye coordination, and how to stay healthy and safe. It’s all part of our comprehensive Links to Learning curriculum, designed to help every child thrive.
Our dedicated teachers promote wellness through daily learning experiences that encourage children to climb, run, hop, dance, and practice rhythmic movement. Games like Freeze Tag, Simon Says, and Red Light/Green Light help children develop gross motor skills while having a blast!
It’s not all about physical play – we know the importance of building social-emotional skills too. Following directions, teamwork, and taking turns are all part of the fun during our activities. Plus, we also introduce children to basic nutritional and safety concepts, setting them up for a lifetime of healthy choices.
Below, we have compiled a list of age-appropriate outdoor activities that you can do with your child to help continue the development at home.
1. Infants (0 – 1 year)
Grass provides a natural and forgiving environment for your infant to explore safely. Take your baby outdoors and allow them to practice movement and balance. Place rattles, soft balls, or textured toys a few feet from your infant, and encourage them to reach and grasp the items.
2. Toddlers (1 – 2 years)
Grab a bunch of colorful balls and head outside. Encourage your toddler to roll or kick the balls on various surfaces like soft grass, squishy sand, or smooth pavement. Watch their eyes light up as they discover the different textures and improve their coordination along the way.
3. Beginners (2 – 3 years)
Place a few hula hoops on the ground for a series of exciting jumping games. Ask your child to jump from one hoop to the next using both feet. Then, ask them to hop from one to the next on one foot. Lastly, challenge your child to hop from hoop to hoop alternating between their left and right foot.
4. Intermediates (3 – 4 years)
Provide your child the opportunity to demonstrate smooth body control through different yoga poses. Lay out a mat, and introduce poses named after animals they are familiar with, such as cat, cow, dog, and frog. Perform the pose first and encourage your child to mimic what they see.
5. Pre-K / Pre-K 2 (4 – 5 years)
Use chalk to write various numbers and letters in your driveway. Ask your child to perform a variety of movement by saying phrases such as, “Bear crawl to the letter K” or “Tiptoe to the number 5.” This activity not only fosters gross motor skills, but also encourages letter and number recognition and following directions.
August Newsletter
The summer is not over yet, and we have lots of fun events still planned. August 4th Kona Ice and Beth Epley on August 29th.
Sincerely,
Heather Helfrich
As we get ready to kick off a new school year, we want to make sure you’re kept in the know. In addition to this newsletter, the “For Parents” section of our website also includes links to our menu, monthly calendar, and school year calendar. If you’re not currently receiving photos and daily reports for your child, you can easily change this by downloading the Links 2 Home app on your phone. After downloading, you can register with the same email address that you used to enroll your child in our school.
Family Referral Bonus & Open House
Do you know a colleague who has recently had a baby, a friend in need of care who just relocated to the area, or a family member who is seeking a new preschool for their child? Invite them to our Open House on August 5. When you refer a friend and they enroll, you’re eligible for a free week of tuition. Ask us for details!
Don’t Miss Out on Re-Enrolling for September!
For those who have not yet registered, we urge you to complete the re-enrollment process as soon as possible to guarantee your child’s spot. Please let us know if you have any questions or need a copy of the Letter of Intent form. We look forward to another year of growth, learning, and fun together!
Splash Days
Water play days continue this month! As a reminder, children should come to school in their swimsuit and with a towel and a change of dry clothes. Apply sunscreen to your child before you drop them off. Our scheduled splash days for August are:
Did You Know?
Learning to follow directions is important for success at school. With guidance and support from teachers, our students participate in clean-up routines, accept redirection, and interact through play with peers.
Important Dates
August 14 – First day of the new school year
August 31 – End-of-month folders go home
Thriving Through Play: Gross-Motor Activities for Growing Preschoolers
Children grow tremendously from birth through age five, so it is vital that we are there to support them. At our preschool, we help children with balancing skills, hand-eye coordination, and how to stay healthy and safe. It’s all part of our comprehensive Links to Learning curriculum, designed to help every child thrive.
Our dedicated teachers promote wellness through daily learning experiences that encourage children to climb, run, hop, dance, and practice rhythmic movement. Games like Freeze Tag, Simon Says, and Red Light/Green Light help children develop gross motor skills while having a blast!
It’s not all about physical play – we know the importance of building social-emotional skills too. Following directions, teamwork, and taking turns are all part of the fun during our activities. Plus, we also introduce children to basic nutritional and safety concepts, setting them up for a lifetime of healthy choices.
Below, we have compiled a list of age-appropriate outdoor activities that you can do with your child to help continue the development at home.
1. Infants (0 – 1 year)
Grass provides a natural and forgiving environment for your infant to explore safely. Take your baby outdoors and allow them to practice movement and balance. Place rattles, soft balls, or textured toys a few feet from your infant, and encourage them to reach and grasp the items.
2. Toddlers (1 – 2 years)
Grab a bunch of colorful balls and head outside. Encourage your toddler to roll or kick the balls on various surfaces like soft grass, squishy sand, or smooth pavement. Watch their eyes light up as they discover the different textures and improve their coordination along the way.
3. Beginners (2 – 3 years)
Place a few hula hoops on the ground for a series of exciting jumping games. Ask your child to jump from one hoop to the next using both feet. Then, ask them to hop from one to the next on one foot. Lastly, challenge your child to hop from hoop to hoop alternating between their left and right foot.
4. Intermediates (3 – 4 years)
Provide your child the opportunity to demonstrate smooth body control through different yoga poses. Lay out a mat, and introduce poses named after animals they are familiar with, such as cat, cow, dog, and frog. Perform the pose first and encourage your child to mimic what they see.
5. Pre-K / Pre-K 2 (4 – 5 years)
Use chalk to write various numbers and letters in your driveway. Ask your child to perform a variety of movement by saying phrases such as, “Bear crawl to the letter K” or “Tiptoe to the number 5.” This activity not only fosters gross motor skills, but also encourages letter and number recognition and following directions.