Go Outside And Play!

Get outside and play!  The outdoors is an ideal backdrop to foster your child’s physical development.  Recall your childhood, I bet you played classic games outside either alone, with a friend or with a group of children.  Maybe you played Hopscotch, Kick the Can, Four Square, Marbles or Jump Rope.  Bring back the classics and witness the joy in your child’s eyes as  she enjoys the same game you have wonderful memories of from your childhood.

Outdoor games allow children to enjoy fresh air, stay active, foster fine motor and gross motor skill development, and build self-confidence.  Many games that are enjoyed by older children can be tailored to meet the developmental needs of your four-year old child.  Play these games with a small group of children or one on one with you.

• Hot Potato is a game for improving your child’s ball handling skills.  As your child begins to show an interest in catching a ball you’ll notice her arms are extending in the front of her with her palms facing up as she scoops the ball up and traps it in her arms pulling it against her chest.  You can throw different sizes of balls to strengthen her muscles as she avoids holding on to the “Hot Potato” for too long!
• Barnyard Animals is a game that is perfect for a group of young children.  You can pretend to be the farmer that takes care of numerous animals in the barnyard.  Whisper to the children what type of animals they are going to pretend to be.  When you blow the whistle (or make a signal of your choice) the animals begin to move and make the noise of the chosen animal.  The child who is “it” or the “farmer” has to herd the animals up into their groups.
• Bowling is a game that can be played with recycled objects.  You may want to start saving dish soap containers or shampoo bottles to make the pins.  Use any ball to knock down all the pins.  Keep score on a chalkboard with a sock eraser.
• Balance Beam Tricks can be played on a piece of string on the ground or a painted line.  See if you child can stand on one leg with her hands on her hips and opposite knee bent.  Can she stoop down low on the beam?  Can she  hop on the beam?  Oh, no!  Don’t fall off and get eaten by the alligators (pretend, of course!).                                                       
• Nature’s Playground offers risk taking and confidence building activities as your child maneuvers her body through a wooded place.  How will she get over a branch on the ground?  How high can she reach up to the trees?  Will she choose to jump off a stump?  This playground offers endless opportunities for growth.