This activity promotes development and learning by encouraging children to use large muscles to explore and interact with the environment. Children must maintain focus and sustained attention as they move their bodies into new positions.
Materials Needed:
- None
Participants: This activity is intended for adult/child interaction.
Directions:
- Instruct your child to choose a comfortable place with space to move around. This might be outside in the grass, on a blanket, or on a wood or carpeted floor.
- Show your child how to take three deep breaths to slow down.
- Ask your child to try bending their body in new poses based on your directions. “Touch your toe to your forehead,” for example. “Move your elbow to your knee.” “Rest your forehead on your feet.” “Stretch your left hand behind your back and touch the back of your right knee.”
- Encourage your child to hold each pose and count to 10 or longer. Challenge your child to think of and try new “pretzel” poses. Introduce basic yoga poses, such as cat, cow, or child’s pose.
