Kids Exercise Develops Preschool Learning
During Educational Games for Kids
Often Simple Moves Build Strength and Gross Motor Skills Best!

Skill Development Task ONE:

Kids Exercise Includes: Support On Arms...It Builds Body Control and Strength

STEP BY STEP PROGRESSIONS:

To work on body control during kids play have them 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

PROBLEM: Can you get your feet in the air while supporting your body with your arms?

In the practice area find a solid support surface that will NOT shift when weight is applied to it.

Have the child stand facing that 8-10 inch [20-25 cm.] hand target. Be Safe.

1. Place your feet together.
2. Ask the child to lift both hands with straight arms/elbows OVERHEAD.
3. They need a minute to size up the situation.
4. Step forward toward beam/support surface with one foot and
   place both hands on the top surface of the beam.
   Hands are shoulder width apart.
5. HINT: As the hands reach for the support beam, the thumbs are pointed towards each other
   and the tips of the thumbs touch.The rest of the fingers are pointing toward the beam.
6. Using the CUE WORDS: READY, SET, GO! begin the action.
7. YOU stand close to grasp their hips, if necessary, during the action.
8. As the child's weight is transfered to their hands, ask them to KICK both legs into the air.
   This is called a MULE Kick sometimes.
9. Return to Start Spot and stand TALL.

Note: Watch the elbows. Softly make suggestions: keep back stretched, shoulders level, arms straight, bend knees on landing.

TASK OBJECTIVE: BODY CONTROl while in motion. This will help the child manage their body in dynamic motion. Continued arm strength are developed as legs become active.

Teaching Hints for Turning Kids Exercise into Building Brain Times

• 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.