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Exercise can encourage cell growth!

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5 Minute Move | Kids Workout 3 | The Body Coach TV

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Encourage your child to play outside or with other kids.
This is extremely beneficial in developing problem solving skills and coping strategies. Which are KEY skills to have inside the classroom!

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We are moving on to the second category in our Play Ideas series as part of #100daysofplay with Chad Valley. This time, I'm sharing active play ideas to help develop gross motor skills and use up energy.

Often imaginary games can involve a lot of active play too, as the children charge around pretending to be knights or pirates. I have vivid memories of running around with my friends in the infant school playground pretending to be mystical birds!

The ideas above give lots of opportunities for gross motor play, developing skills like balance, jumping and catching allowing children to strengthen their bodies and build their confidence and self esteem. These activities provide vestibular sensory input for the child as they roll, twirl, swing and balance. All children need a balanced diet of sensory input, not only children with sensory processing difficulties or special needs. Most children really need and enjoy this active play time. This type of activity is also a great way to burn off energy, helping children to sleep better at night.

Gross Motor Active Play Ideas

Space hoppers

Skipping games

Relay Race

Climbing frames

Bikes

Scooters

Trampolines

Walk like a dinosaur / tiger / cat / train etc

Dancing

Hand Stands / Cartwheels / Rolling

Running up and down hills

Balancing on a beam or short wall

Football

Traditional playground games like "Tag" or "What's the time Mr Wolf"

Traditional circle games like "ring a ring a rosie" or "hokey cokey"

Obstacle Course

Throwing and catching bean bags

Frisbee

Traffic Lights game (green for run fast, amber for slow, red for stop)

Party games like musical statues, musical chairs or musical bumps

Balance board or wobble board

For more play ideas, follow our Kids Ideas & Activities Pinterest board
Follow Anna - In The Playroom's board kids Ideas and activities on Pinterest.

Image: Young child having fun at the playground Shutterstock (modified) Girl playing on a space hopper Shutterstock

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Gross Motor Active Play Ideas #100daysofplay - In The Playroom

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We are moving on to the second category in our Play Ideas series as part of #100daysofplay with Chad Valley. This time, I'm sharing active play ideas to help develop gross motor skills and use up energy. Often imaginary games can involve a lot of active play too, as the children charge around pretending to be knights or pirates.

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The link between violent video games and aggressive behavior is compelling according to Anderson & Bushman, 2001.

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REM sleep is crucial for:

memory

creativity

learning

alertness

vigilance

8-12 hours are needed!

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A little bit of water (aka 8-12 glasses per day) goes a long way!

Hydration is important to the brain's normal development and functioning (Maughan, 2003)

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Study by Misner er al., 2001 say sweet potatoes and other orange vegetables

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ALSO: Students with diets low in vitamin B-12 have reduced learning ability

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ALSO: Students with diets low in vitamin B-12 have reduced learning ability

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Study by Louwman et. al., 2000.

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1 out of 12 kiddos with an iron deficiency are 2x likely to score below average in math.

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1 out of 12 kiddos with an iron deficiency are 2x likely to score below average in math.

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Study by Halterman, 2001.

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Too much dietary fat and unbalanced diets in general can impair cognition

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Too much dietary fat and unbalanced diets in general can impair cognition

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Studies by: Greenwood & Winocur, 2001 and Ramakrishna, 1999.

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Nutritional deficits can decrease test scores!

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Popcorn
Carrots
Raisins
Rice Cakes
Energy Bars
Yogurt
Mixed Nuts
Dried/Fresh Fruits
Veggie Sticks