We all know how important it is to teach the children how to land safely so each week our Kindergym classes practice as part of their routine.
We dance through our warm up song holding our hand held apparatus (such as ribbon sticks, pom poms of various sizes, shapes and textures, scarves, etc.)
After this song is finished we lay our apparatus on the floor to make a visual line in front of our feet. We all stand behind our line, clap and count 1,2,3! On 3 we jump to the other side and show our landing position...many refer to it as the "MOTORBIKE " position. Knees bent and arms in front of the body.
This begins at the age of two and continues upward.
The jumps over the line may vary...star, tuck, half turn, forward then backward. There is so much you can teach them over these lines if you think about it.
In our three year old class we even started counting to three in french....un, deux, trois. I was amazed how quickly they remembered this.
Many of our parents say their children will line up objects on the floor at home and count 1,2 3 and practice their jumping and landing.
YEAH! SUCCESS!
3/19/2011
Parachute activity
The parachute is so popular in Kindergym classes and it is always great when you find a new idea for this apparatus. So here is a musical idea that is successful in our Kindergym program:
Jack and Jill (The Wiggles - Pop Goes The Wiggles)
In this activity the children will be climbing on the top of the parachute so think of safety first.
I always ask the children to sit on their parents lap and for the parents to hold the children with one hand, as though they are putting on a seat belt! The temptation to go under is sometimes too great!!
I also explain to the children to slow down at the top of the mountain as we would not want to crash with those coming up on the other side of the mountain.
As the song begins ask the parents and children to lift the parachute and lower it to the ground trapping the air underneath to make our mountain. Each time the children climb up the mountain to flatten the parachute, they must quickly return to their parents to make a new mountain for the next verse. Each verse will say a different way to climb the mountain.
Verse 1: "Jack and Jill went up the hill"
Verse 2: "Jack and Jill ran up the hill"
Verse 3: "Jack and Jill jumped up the hill"
Verse 4: "Jack and Jill skipped up the hill"
ENJOY!
Jack and Jill (The Wiggles - Pop Goes The Wiggles)
In this activity the children will be climbing on the top of the parachute so think of safety first.
I always ask the children to sit on their parents lap and for the parents to hold the children with one hand, as though they are putting on a seat belt! The temptation to go under is sometimes too great!!
I also explain to the children to slow down at the top of the mountain as we would not want to crash with those coming up on the other side of the mountain.
As the song begins ask the parents and children to lift the parachute and lower it to the ground trapping the air underneath to make our mountain. Each time the children climb up the mountain to flatten the parachute, they must quickly return to their parents to make a new mountain for the next verse. Each verse will say a different way to climb the mountain.
Verse 1: "Jack and Jill went up the hill"
Verse 2: "Jack and Jill ran up the hill"
Verse 3: "Jack and Jill jumped up the hill"
Verse 4: "Jack and Jill skipped up the hill"
ENJOY!
3/13/2011
Fine motor activity
Pegging is a great fine motor activity that can be used in any children's program, as well as at home.
You can buy various colors, sizes and textures of pegs in stores these days.
It is then up to you to use your imagination as to how to include them in your program.
During our CLEANING themed week , where we pretended to wash the scarves on the top of the parachute, then we hung them on a line. Later we returned, took them off the line, ironed and folded them.
As an adult that sounds too much like a regular day, but for the children they really became involved and had a great time.
You can buy various colors, sizes and textures of pegs in stores these days.
It is then up to you to use your imagination as to how to include them in your program.
During our CLEANING themed week , where we pretended to wash the scarves on the top of the parachute, then we hung them on a line. Later we returned, took them off the line, ironed and folded them.
As an adult that sounds too much like a regular day, but for the children they really became involved and had a great time.
At the end we gently gave the parents a massage with the play irons. Now that they liked!
3/12/2011
Criss cross
When I was lecturing in Queensland the group asked me to blog this rhyme...so here it is.
Have the child sit in front of you to begin this activity.
CRISS CROSS
Criss cross (draw and X upon the child's back)
Apple sauce (squeeze the child's shoulders)
Spiders crawling up your back (walk your fingers up the child's back)
Cool breeze (blow in the child's ear)
Tight squeeze (give the child a hug)
And now you've got the shivers (tickle them on their sides)
Have the child sit in front of you to begin this activity.
CRISS CROSS
Criss cross (draw and X upon the child's back)
Apple sauce (squeeze the child's shoulders)
Spiders crawling up your back (walk your fingers up the child's back)
Cool breeze (blow in the child's ear)
Tight squeeze (give the child a hug)
And now you've got the shivers (tickle them on their sides)
3/08/2011
Trampoline rhyme
I started singing a song for the younger children when they were jumping on the trampoline so they could join skills together in a sequence. It has been a big hit and I now hear all the staff using the words to this song either sung or spoken.
"Show me a soldier jump and show me a star
Show me a tuck jump and sit down where you are
....then stand up"
I use this for my three year olds and upwards in the beginner trampoline class.
"Show me a soldier jump and show me a star
Show me a tuck jump and sit down where you are
....then stand up"
I use this for my three year olds and upwards in the beginner trampoline class.
What do you need help with?
Let me know what it is that you feel you need help with and I will promise to help the best I can.
Look forward to hearing from you!
Look forward to hearing from you!
3/07/2011
Making drums
Here is a new idea for you to add to your Kindergym program if you haven't already!
Rhythm and sound is an important part of development and should be included within your program planning.
We try and make as much of our equipment as possible so that my parents can copy and make them at home for their children to gain the full benefit of the activities.
All you need to do is ask your families to donate any old baby formula tins once they are finished with them. Also ask for the plastic lids. You need more lids than tins, so once you get enough tins just ask for the lids.
To begin, wash and dry the tins. Then decorate by covering them with the plastic contact of your choice.
Place a lid on both ends. Ta Da! You have created a drum!
For drum sticks I used dowel cut into short lengths (you may paint these if you wish), then a used small ball pit balls for the ends. I poked a hole in the ball and pushed the stick inside. Ta da! Drum sticks.
Play some music and let the children make some noise. The children love them!
Rhythm and sound is an important part of development and should be included within your program planning.
We try and make as much of our equipment as possible so that my parents can copy and make them at home for their children to gain the full benefit of the activities.
All you need to do is ask your families to donate any old baby formula tins once they are finished with them. Also ask for the plastic lids. You need more lids than tins, so once you get enough tins just ask for the lids.
To begin, wash and dry the tins. Then decorate by covering them with the plastic contact of your choice.
Place a lid on both ends. Ta Da! You have created a drum!
For drum sticks I used dowel cut into short lengths (you may paint these if you wish), then a used small ball pit balls for the ends. I poked a hole in the ball and pushed the stick inside. Ta da! Drum sticks.
Play some music and let the children make some noise. The children love them!
Our crazy gym!
Here is a picture of our wonderful colorful gymnastics club.
Over the years I have visited many gyms and observed many classes in action, which gave me the opportunity to decide what I wanted to have in our facility. So, when I decided to set up our gym (16 years ago), I was clear on one thing....it had to be fun! I wanted to provided a clear image of fun as soon as you walked through the door. I do believe we have achieved this, but we are always trying to improve.
I knew what our philosophy was going to be and we have been true to it ever since we opened. However, in the world of gymnastics, many see us as a "play gym". A place that does not teach "true" gymnastics. I always smile at these comments and feel sorry for those who only believe that there is one way to teach this wonderful sport and in one type of gymnastics facility. We have chosen to be a recreational club for many reasons but we still achieve skills and results in this wonderful crazy facility. Hope you like this picture of half our gym.
Over the years I have visited many gyms and observed many classes in action, which gave me the opportunity to decide what I wanted to have in our facility. So, when I decided to set up our gym (16 years ago), I was clear on one thing....it had to be fun! I wanted to provided a clear image of fun as soon as you walked through the door. I do believe we have achieved this, but we are always trying to improve.
I knew what our philosophy was going to be and we have been true to it ever since we opened. However, in the world of gymnastics, many see us as a "play gym". A place that does not teach "true" gymnastics. I always smile at these comments and feel sorry for those who only believe that there is one way to teach this wonderful sport and in one type of gymnastics facility. We have chosen to be a recreational club for many reasons but we still achieve skills and results in this wonderful crazy facility. Hope you like this picture of half our gym.
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