Hopping & Jumping
Hopscotch
Hopping & Jumping is a vital part of S.M.A.R.T. Developmental. Our gross motor components always include some variation of hopscotch.
If you have a private yard or road, use rocks or sidewalk chalk to draw a simple hopscotch pattern.
Create an indoor Hopscotch using painter’s tape.
We use lots of painter’s tape on our wood floors at BSMART. It is easily removable.
You can use chalk to write numbers or letters on the tape too!
Jumping Squares
Be Creative!! You can create squares in any pattern for children to jump into. In the video clip link you will see a couple of 3 year olds jumping into taped floor squares.
We have added words for them (that’s where they were developmentally). You don’t have to add anything, but if you do please start with simple shapes, colors, patterns, etc.)
Tape Line Jumping
Place tape strips at various intervals for children to jump and land on each one.
You can also add shapes, numbers, letters to the tape with chalk.
Do:
2 feet to 2 feet jumps
1 foot hops
alternating
Primary purpose: to encourage development of the proprioceptive system.
Classroom Relevance: Being able to sit properly. Understanding and using the appropriate amount of force needed to complete a task.
Balance & Vestibular
Primary purpose: to encourage balance and body awareness. When a child walks slowly across balance lines or a balance beam, his/her body is developing balance and learning where it is in space.
Classroom relevance: Body awareness helps children sit still and remain seated in their chairs.This skill also leads to understanding one’s own left and right and, in turn, having the ability to read from left to right. Children who have problems with body awareness may fall out of their chairs; have a short attention span or reverse letters or words.
No beam or wooden plank?
We use painter’s tape for many balance activities!
Children should walk slowly in a heel-toe manner.
