El active play helps children develop gross motor skills, like running. At preschool age, that is, between the ages of 3 and 5, children need opportunities for physical activity. Active play, also at this age, is important for good health and for the development of gross motor skills.
For preschoolers, the development of gross motor skills It is essential for motor learning and for using the large muscles of your legs, arms and trunk to run, jump, throw, catch, serve, etc.
Preschoolers are also working on fine motor skills, which are crucial for important tasks ahead, like learning to write. But we cannot forget the gross motor skills of children from the age of three. At school, more and more they will develop "paper and pencil" and "craft" tasks. And, as they get older, directed gross motor tasks and activities will decrease. Therefore, it is very important to give children of this age every possible opportunity to develop gross motor skills.
Activities for preschoolers to develop gross motor skills
Dance
Dancing is a very fun activity for children, whether it is free dancing, choreography or, even better, "songs with dance". Dancing at home or taking your child to some age-appropriate after-school or free time activity is a good way for them to dance.
Walk
Walking with children is much slower, which is why many times we opt for the stroller or the car to move around. But it is essential that the child moves, that he walks as much as he can. Going on excursions, going out to do things with an adult, walking down the street ... all this is necessary for him to walk and to gain speed and endurance.
Go to the park
In the park, children will find many opportunities to move and socialize with other children. They will be able to run, jump, hang, slide, climb, propel themselves on the swings, etc. In the park they will also learn to fall and they will lose their fear of climbing up to different places, thereby gaining self-confidence.
Swimming and water games
Swimming is great exercise. In addition, having a child know how to swim will give us some peace of mind when we go to a place with a pool, a river, the beach, etc. Swimming develops the whole body and is a great coordination exercise.
Balance games
Balance games are very important for the child's psychomotor development. Walking on a rope lying on the ground or games "hoofed-foot" are very important for their development. In the street, small balancing games can be played on low walls, benches, etc., with the help and supervision of an adult. Don't worry about looking for where to do them: children naturally balance anywhere.
Tricycles and bicycles
Riding a tricycle, bicycles with or without pedals, etc., will help children to move, to learn to coordinate and to develop balance.
Obstacle courses
Obstacle courses can be done with anything and anywhere. The important thing is that the child has to move in different ways, crouch, jump, crawl and think about where he has to go and what he has to do to get through.
Ball games
A boy with a ball is a happy boy. And adult too. With balls you can do many things and learn many skills: throwing, catching, running, kicking, dodging ...
If you would like to activities for children 1 to 2 years, click on the link that we just left you.
Image - David maisel