Physical Activity with Preschoolers
Abstract
Physical activity is known to have all sorts of short-term and long-term benefits for people across all dynamics. For preschoolers, finding activities that were beneficial and age appropriate was a challenge. However, with the help of colleagues at my internship site and some research, I was able to identify physical objectives from District 7’s Teaching Strategies. That led to the development of some great activities. These activities include dancing, completing obstacle courses, playing organized running games (tag), and playing catching, throwing, and kicking games.
To provide some context for my internship experience, I have been interning at the Franklin School for the past two semesters. I have specifically been going through each 4k classroom, spending time, and getting to know the students on a personal level to develop a rapport. I then assessed the students by administering a series of different physical tests to better understand their gross-motor level. An overwhelming number of the students were on or above their developmental level, of course there were also some that scored below their targeted level. To ensure quality one on one time I have been spending time with all the 3k and 4k classrooms during their outside time and teaching students more advanced gross-motor skills through play. This includes mobility work through playing Red light Green light, catching and throwing skills through playing catch and hitting targets, balance/feet work through playing follow the leader and conducting soccer ball drills, and gymnastics work by using the playground equipment in different ways. There are limitations when dealing with three-to-five-year-olds, simply because they can only comprehend and perform so much, but with that in mind I have been able to do some great work with this young, diverse population.
Considering that I am not yet certified in any desired form of therapy , I have not been able to conduct any individual sessions to improve performance. What I have learned thus far is that preschoolers learn best through play. Learning through play not only encourages students to be active, but it also allows them to learn social and emotional skills without even knowing they are doing it. The classes I have worked with so far have shown an increase in gross-motor abilities, social skills, and emotional regulation after taking part in the activities.
Keywords
Physical Activity, Learn through play, preschool, gross-motor abilities
Physical Activity with Preschoolers
CASB 101
Physical activity is known to have all sorts of short-term and long-term benefits for people across all dynamics. For preschoolers, finding activities that were beneficial and age appropriate was a challenge. However, with the help of colleagues at my internship site and some research, I was able to identify physical objectives from District 7’s Teaching Strategies. That led to the development of some great activities. These activities include dancing, completing obstacle courses, playing organized running games (tag), and playing catching, throwing, and kicking games.
To provide some context for my internship experience, I have been interning at the Franklin School for the past two semesters. I have specifically been going through each 4k classroom, spending time, and getting to know the students on a personal level to develop a rapport. I then assessed the students by administering a series of different physical tests to better understand their gross-motor level. An overwhelming number of the students were on or above their developmental level, of course there were also some that scored below their targeted level. To ensure quality one on one time I have been spending time with all the 3k and 4k classrooms during their outside time and teaching students more advanced gross-motor skills through play. This includes mobility work through playing Red light Green light, catching and throwing skills through playing catch and hitting targets, balance/feet work through playing follow the leader and conducting soccer ball drills, and gymnastics work by using the playground equipment in different ways. There are limitations when dealing with three-to-five-year-olds, simply because they can only comprehend and perform so much, but with that in mind I have been able to do some great work with this young, diverse population.
Considering that I am not yet certified in any desired form of therapy , I have not been able to conduct any individual sessions to improve performance. What I have learned thus far is that preschoolers learn best through play. Learning through play not only encourages students to be active, but it also allows them to learn social and emotional skills without even knowing they are doing it. The classes I have worked with so far have shown an increase in gross-motor abilities, social skills, and emotional regulation after taking part in the activities.