Kindergarten -- meaning "children garden" -- is a time of critical learning and development. Gym activities are an important component to the development of physical fitness and healthy habits. But in today's society, kindergarten-aged children may spend more time watching television than spent in school. To counteract the sedentary lifestyle, kindergarten gym activities need to be simple, fun and functional.
Parachute
Parachute gym activities are a classic for kindergarten-aged children and offer versatility and simplicity. For parachute activities, start with the students holding the edge of the parachute with an overhand grip. Place small, lightweight balls on top of the parachute and have the students shake the parachute up and down creating a "parachute storm." The students will use their upper body and core to shake the parachute as they are attempting to remove all of the balls from the parachute.
CrossFit Kids
CrossFit Kids is a series of functional gym activities that improve general physical skills including endurance, stamina, balance, coordination, flexibility and strength. Activities consist of a mixture of exercises such as bear crawls, shuttle runs, broad jumps, box jumps, sprints, jump rope, sit-ups and push-ups. Set up small circuit-style stations where the kindergarteners rotate through the stations after a specific amount of time. For example, have a pupil complete five stations for 30 seconds, each starting with bear crawls and followed with jump rope, shuttle runs, sit-ups and push-ups.
Outdoors
Exposing kindergarteners to the outdoors is an opportunity to add variety and fun to gym activities. Nature walks can include a power walk on a local trail, park or neighborhood with a special project including naming various trees or colors seen on the walk. Another outdoor gym activity is "Follow the Leader," characterized by the teacher performing different activities with the students copying the movement. Sample exercises include walking running, hopping or jumping.
Tag Games
Tag is another classic youth game that can be slightly modified for fun and engaging gym activities. An example of a tag variation is "Double Tunnel Tag" where the students are split into teams of two. One to three of the teams are designated to be "it," with a goal of "tagging" the other players and teams. A tagged team must stay in a tunnel formation until another team runs through the tunnel to free them.
Member Comments