ABCs of Gross Motor Day 3: K-O

Welcome to Day 3 of the ABCs of Gross Motor. The first two days were great fun and I’m looking forward to today as well! I love exploring all the ideas. I often have a hard time settling on one subject per letter.

K is for Kick

K is for Kick Kicking is lots of fun and works on balance. You can kick a ball or anything else. Paper towel rolls are fun to kick over. One of my favorite things to do is put a piece of cloth on the girls foot and have them kick it off. They laugh and want to do it again. Always make sure you are doing equal work on the right and left foot. If they favor one side then work a little extra on the other one.

Here are some great K Blog Posts:
Monkey Toes Montessori – The Kicking Jug!

L is for Language

L is for Language Language is an easy way to make gross motor fun. Think of fun word games you played with you were younger. Think Simon Says. You can do gross motor movements but need to listen for what is next. Here are some other examples: Hokey Pokey, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, and jumping songs. You may find books with movements that also are good like Sandra Boynton’s : Let’s Dance, Little Pookie and Barnyard Dance! (Boynton on Board).

Here are some great L Blog Posts:
Teach Preschool – Leap Frog

M is for Mimic

M is for Mimic Children mimic a lot of behaviors and patterns. It is the same with gross motor. They will mimic something they see more often than something that they are just told to do. My girls often want to act out an animal. That means coming up with movements for it. I will show them the animal and then they will follow my example. To describe a jumping jack explain it in terms of X and stick. Then show them what X and stick look like while using the words. Be involved with their gross motor and it will be more fun for them and a small workout for you.

Here are some great M Blog Posts:
In Lieu of Preschool – Make a Track: Get Moving & Practice Motor Skills!
We Can Do All Things – Crib Mattress and Gross Motor
Carrots Are Orange – Montessori at Home: Movement
Creative Connections for kids – milk Jug Toss
Songs for Teaching: Action Songs

N is for Noise

N is for Noise Noise might seem like an odd choice, but I can tell you my girls love to be noisy when they are doing their gross motor. If you have an animal you are doing why not add the animal noise. Have them say words while they are hopping around. Using their voice to make noise is a great way to sneak in other education while doing gross motor.

Here are some great N Blog Posts:
Creative Family Fun – Get Moving with Nursery Rhymes

O is for Obstacle

O is for Obstacle Obstacle courses are easy to make. You don’t have to have anything complex. I make small obstacle course for the girls to run through every day. I might have them weave between spots on the floor and on the way back do an animal walk and repeat the pattern. They find it fun and simple. They will often come up with ideas to do all on their own. If you make one they will want to help. This can be enjoyable for everyone! Some items you can use for obstacle courses: pillows, cones, masking tape, blankets, chairs, tables, boxes, and yarn.

Here are some great O Blog Posts:
Creative Family Fun – Go Outside: Jump
Love, Play and Learn – Indoor Obstacle Course
Living Montessori Now – Outdoor Line Hunt and Walking on the Line
Mama Pea Pod – Outdoor Play Party: The Benefits of Old-Fashioned Outdoor Play

Also Check out:
ABCs of Gross Motor Day 1: A-E!
ABCs of Gross Motor Day 2: F-J!
ABCs of Gross Motor Day 4: P-T
ABCs of Gross Motor Day 5: U-Z

LITERACY and LANGUAGE

Books for Preschoolers from Mommy and Me Book Club
Building a Home Library from Ready Set Read!
Early Language Learning from Playting with Words 365
Early Literacy from Playdough to Plato
Exploring Books from JDaniel4’s Mom
Graphic Novels from Pragmatic Mom
Learning to Read Through Play from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Learning to Write from NurtureStore
Reading Comprehension for Pre K-Grade 1 from The Wise Owl Factory
Storytelling from A Mom with a Lesson Plan

Cassie – 3Dinosaurs.com

Disclaimer: This is not intended to be the end all of gross motor but just ideas that can be used and should not replace something else you are doing. This is not medical advice either.