Ten Gross Motor Activities Two-Year-Olds Love
Balanced and Barefoot, Angela J. Hanscom
If you've not read the book, Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident and Capable Children by Angela J. Hanscom, please get your hands on a copy. I read this book when Peter was young and still reference it frequently, including right now. Angela has an enlightening section on gross motor skills, which I've quoted profusely below:
What are Gross Motor Skills?
"Gross motor skills encompass whole-body movements and coordination of the legs, arms, and other body parts in order to walk, run, and climb, among other things. . . "
Why are Gross Motor Skills Important?
". . . all the large muscle groups, provide the foundation and support for the smaller muscles of the arms, hands, and fingers to work effectively. Without adequate gross motor strength, coordination, and control, it becomes very difficult to master fine motor skills, such as buttoning a shirt, cutting with scissors, and taking off shoes. . .
Weak gross motor skills in children can lead to difficulty sitting upright in school, poor endurance in physical education class, inefficient body coordination, and even injury, . . ."
How do children develop gross motor skills?
"To keep gross motor skills in optimal condition, it’s important to ensure that children under two years of age get to move throughout the day—preferably a total of four hours or more of active movement. Give them regular opportunities to crawl, climb, jump, roll, walk, and run. Older children should ideally be exposed to three hours a day or more of the aforementioned plus squatting, hanging, carrying heavy objects, jumping off of things, tumbling, and other rigorous activities."
Ten Gross Motor Activities Two-Year-Olds Love
1. A fun game of hide and seek often incorporates running to hide before the counter gets to 20, climbing into the perfect spot under the covers of the top bunk, and using statue strength to remain perfectly still and quiet. Elliot has finally reached the point where he mostly stays hidden and only occasionally gives himself away with a loud, "Here I am!"
2. Ball toss is a go-to game of ours. I find Elliot has the most success with a bigger ball, as small balls tend to escape his grasp more easily.
3. And when you need a break from balls, try a balloon instead! We often practice running, jumping, hitting and catching with a slower-moving game of balloon keep off the ground. The bigger you blow up the balloon, the slower it will fall, giving your toddler ample time to place themselves in the trajectory of the falling balloon and hit it back your way.
4. My kids all love to play floor's lava together, springing around the living room from couch, to fireplace, climbing triangle, piano bench, and strategically placed pillows across the floor.
5. A few Christmases ago we bought the kids a large outdoor trampoline, and it is honestly the best gift we've ever given them. They all love to jump, and Elliot and I especially enjoy kicking a toddler-sized soccer ball back and forth within the limiting confines of the trampoline net.
6. At first glance, swings may not seem to have much gross motor benefit, but they are awesome for core strength, especially once kids start trying to pump their legs. But even before, it takes practiced coordination and strength to stay seated on a swing without tumbling to the ground.
7. Your toddler can practice walking on all types of terrain (and, if you're anything like me, you can practice the art of patience,) on a toddler walk. More on the beauty of toddler walks here.
8. Two is the age at which we bought Peter his first balance bike. None of our children have ridden well right at two, but I do think it's the perfect age to start. We own and love the Woom balance bike.
9. Pushing a wagon, wheelbarrow, laundry hamper, cart at the grocery store; you name it, they want to push it. And it's great gross motor practice!
10. Climbing also strengthens gross motor skills. At our house Elliot practices on the stairs, the climbing triangle, the treehouse ramp, rock wall, and trampoline ladder, but for some reason his favorite things to climb on are all of the things he should not.
Love,
Elizabeth Erin
