Body Control Develops Preschool Learning
As Exercise for Kids
Often Is Simply Educational Games for Kids

Skill Development Task FIVE: Run, Run, and Jump OVER A Cone To A Target

Exercise for Kids Includes: Jumping...It Builds Body Control

STEP BY STEP PROGRESSIONS

To work on body control during kids play try this:

YOU can make a big difference in your youngster's body control during their play.

This task sets up a problem and the child's skills will allow him to solve it at their current level of mastery

On the practice pathway place a Target that will NOT be slippery when the child lands on it.

A mark with chalk, a small piece of tape or sticky dot will do. Be Safe.

Using a long running approach on a pathway will be the action in this task. But you can increase the difficulty for your child by placing a barrier [a CONE or soft object] to be jumped over to challenge the child's jumping skills.

Note: Make sure object is less than 4 inches high [10 cm.]. Place the target very close in front of the cone/object.

1. Have the child stand at one end of the practice pathway and look down the course.
2. Establish that as the START SPOT.
3. They need a minute to size up the situation
4. Ask them to THINK about running a few steps towards the TARGET.
5. The TARGET is at the end of the pathway/runway.
6. BUT ask them to try to JUMP over the cone/object.
7. Using the CUE WORDS: READY, SET, GO! begin the action.
8. Let them run (any number of steps) towards the TARGET.
9. Suggest that they bend their knees as they JUMP over CONE and LAND on TARGET.
10. Make your performance improvement suggestions.
11. Return to Start Spot and repeat.

Note: Watch the running, jumping and landing phases. Softly make suggestions: keep head high, shoulders level, bend knees on landing.

TASK OBJECTIVE: HAND & FOOT USE & Body Control While in Motion. This task will allow the child to explore and develop control over movement and body control.

Teaching Hints for Turning Kids Play into Build Brain Time

• The senses will connect the muscles to the brain as the child strives to maintain their balance.
• Make sure that the practice times for this task are SHORT and happy!
• Check to make certain that the toes are touching as well as the heels touching each other.
• This contact recruits the brain and ensures good muscle control.