Gross motor skills are those which require whole body movement and which involve the large muscles of the body to perform everyday functions, such as standing and walking, running and jumping, and sitting upright at the table. We love to use our soft play and playground area in school to develop our gross motor skills but we can still work on them at home. Here are some ideas.
Build a fort:
Get some blankets, sheets, pillows or cushions. Re-arrange the furniture in your kitchen, sitting room or bedroom to make a little or fort or hideout for yourself. Lifting, dragging, pulling and tugging will help to strengthen those all-important muscles in our bodies and then the best thing is we can have a little rest in our forts when we’re finished. Don’t forget to tidy up after though!
Build a fort:
Get some blankets, sheets, pillows or cushions. Re-arrange the furniture in your kitchen, sitting room or bedroom to make a little or fort or hideout for yourself. Lifting, dragging, pulling and tugging will help to strengthen those all-important muscles in our bodies and then the best thing is we can have a little rest in our forts when we’re finished. Don’t forget to tidy up after though!
Throwing, catching and rolling:
You can use a ball, a beanbag or even a rolled up pair of socks. Throw and catch back and forth to a sibling or parent. When you get tired of throwing why not try rolling along the floor. You could even grab some empty plastic bottles and create your very own at home bowling alley. I know some of you boys love to play skittles in school, well now you can try it at home too.
You can use a ball, a beanbag or even a rolled up pair of socks. Throw and catch back and forth to a sibling or parent. When you get tired of throwing why not try rolling along the floor. You could even grab some empty plastic bottles and create your very own at home bowling alley. I know some of you boys love to play skittles in school, well now you can try it at home too.
Hopscotch:
I’m sure some of you are missing our hopscotch and outdoor area at school. Why not try create your own at home? If you have a patio or path around your house you could use chalk to make your own hopscotch. Or maybe use some tape to make one on the floor inside.
I’m sure some of you are missing our hopscotch and outdoor area at school. Why not try create your own at home? If you have a patio or path around your house you could use chalk to make your own hopscotch. Or maybe use some tape to make one on the floor inside.
Simon Says:
You could play a game of Simon Says with you family. Here are a few ideas of actions for a game of Simon Says:
You could play a game of Simon Says with you family. Here are a few ideas of actions for a game of Simon Says:
And here is a little song to teach you how to play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkO8DaPIyXo
All of the above count as exercise and will keep you fit and healthy. The body coach has been sharing some great PE videos for kids while the schools are closed. Maybe the whole family could try one of these workouts together. They will certainly get the hearts pumping! Check it out here: https://www.thebodycoach.com/blog/pe-with-joe-1254.html
I'm sure you boys have lots of other great ways to get your bodies moving and your muscles working. Don't forget to share with me here [email protected].