Your toddler is on the move, pulling up, crawling through and climbing on every stationary object. This is a good thing. Little ones need to practice their gross motor skills with all the activities that come naturally to them. Play it safe by learning to help your toddler practice elementary gymnastics skills without the bumps and bruises. The exercises will help your baby develop physically as well as give you and your child extra bonding time.
Step 1
Set up an area in which your child can tumble. It should have ample space for rolling and crawling yet be small enough so you can keep up with your active toddler. Clear the space of everything except items you will use in gymnastics play with your child.
Step 2
Invest in a few simple pieces of equipment for your tumbling play area. A tumbling mat is essential, as your child will be much less likely to get hurt during falls with a cushioned surface beneath her. Other items that will be useful are large balls, a small climbing apparatus and a very low balance beam.
Step 3
Warm up your baby's muscles with some stretching games. For instance you can guide your little one into sitting on the floor with his legs wide apart so he can "make a pizza." Tell him to pour on the sauce and demonstrate this by using wide arm motions, and then ask him to sprinkle the other ingredients on top, making sure to get the edges so he has to really stretch.
Step 4
Create an obstacle course for your youngster to crawl through. You can use a large plastic tube sold in toy stores coupled with a few well-spaced cones to set up a simple activity. According to pediatrician David Geller, writing for Baby Center, children as young as two years of age are capable of crawling through the maze with a little help from an adult.
Step 5
Encourage your toddler to bounce on her bottom on a trampoline. This is a way the very young child can utilize this important piece of gymnastic equipment. Always monitor her while she is at play on the trampoline, as injuries can occur if your child gets too close to the edge or tries to jump while standing and lands awkwardly.
Step 6
Develop a routine that includes a variety of activities. Incorporate body rolls, walking along a straight line, climbing on appropriate equipment and a swinging exercise to help children develop their coordination and prepare for more advanced tumbling activities for the future.
Tips and Warnings
- Add music to your child's gymnastics routines to add to the fun and excitement of tumbling time. Enroll your toddler in a local gymnastics class to acquaint him with more exercises and a variety of tumbling equipment. Assist your child in gymnastics moves at her level, which means you will likely be on your knees or seated on the floor.
- Don't push your child to perform skills for which he is not physically ready. Gross motor skill development takes time, and he will probably not be ready for such things as somersaults until he is at least 5 years old.
Things You'll Need
- Tumbling mat
- Large balls
- Small climbing apparatus
- Low balance beam
- Large plastic crawling tube
- Obstacle cones
- Trampoline
