Indoor Opportunities for Gross Motor Activity!

Activities that involve the movement of objects present interesting problems for children to solve. As they ponder the solutions to problems in the gross-motor areas, they must consider their own actions in relationship to the reactions of the material. This often leads to disequilibrium-a lack of balance between what children think and what children observe. Disequilibrium generally motivates children to search for a higher -level understanding.

Friday morning the children had the opportunity to explore the gross motor equipment (balance beam, matted roll-out tub, slide, and a circular teeter -totter) and their bodies in the TBS Community Room. Most of the children had prior experience with the equipment that was available, except the circular teeter-totter. Most of the children approached the teeter-totter slowly with caution. It was not easy to just get on and stand up. The children that tried to stand up quickly on it, fell off. The children had to figure out how to get on, and stand up without falling. They had to concentrate and focus, as well as activate the muscles in their legs and torso in order to balance themselves. Easier said, than done! It was interesting everyone had a different approach. Eric asked for a helping hand as he stood up, then I let go, and as you can see in the first image, he took it from there. Mia decided to sit down and use her core muscles to shift her body from side to side. Teddy Post and Teddy Fox took their time, but eventually stood up on the teeter-totter and had success! Persistence and determination goes a long way!