Play Learn Grow Together

Learning and Moving Together Joyfully: Physical Literacy

Welcome back educators, parents, care-givers and grandparents as we explore how children can lead healthy lives and expend all that built-up energy through physical activity! Physical Literacy is having the motivation, competence and confidence to engage in movement skills. We can do our part by providing children opportunities to engage in gross motor activities such as hopping, jumping, climbing, dancing, skipping, bike riding, throwing, catching or “rough and tumble” play. It also means providing fine-motor activities such as coloring, cutting, or manipulating building materials or puzzles. When these activities are encouraged and modelled by significant adults (you!) then it is more likely for children to develop lifelong patterns of healthy living. We know that physical activity in the first five years helps the brain grow and is linked with academic progress, self-regulation and social competence. Daily physical activity, indoors or outdoors, that involves movement when reading, singing, dancing, bike riding, practicing yoga poses, or on field trip activities can inspire children to be active for life…as you play, learn, and grow together joyfully! 

1.  Read together 📚 

Some books come with an invitation to move and groove because of the author’s choice of words and the illustrator’s lively pictures. As children clap their hands, stomp their feet, wiggle their toes, make scary faces or roar and spin like animals, they release energy, learn to control muscle movement, and hopefully associate physical activity with the enjoyable experiences of reading books together. Consider adding the following books to your classroom library or borrow them from your school or public library.

• Clap Your Hands by Lorinda Cauley has children up and dancing as they join a menagerie of zany animal movements all in rhyming text. .
• From Head to Toe by Eric Carle, is an interactive book that invites young readers to copy giraffes, monkeys, and other animal antics as they play and learn the importance of listening, exercising and taking on a challenge.
• You Are a Lion! And Other Fun Yoga Poses by Teeun Yoo is a delightful book with  simple instructions, clear illustrations inviting children to enjoy yoga by assuming playful animal poses and pretending to be the animal.
• Dancing Feet by Lindsay Craig has rollicking text featuring funny sound words like Tippity! Creepity! Stompity! Thumpity!, dancing animals, and an engaging singsong beat. 
• Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas is an interactive picture book starring a bossy ladybug and a hungry frog who will encourage children to dance and make silly scary faces.
• Read, move and reflect on the science of motion by enjoying these recommended books together. Click on the video links below:  
  • Shake my Sillies out by Raffi (2:05 mins.)
  • Newton and Me by Lynne Mayer (3:41 mins.)Through fun, easy to read rhyme, students learn the laws of force and motion. Can the ball move on its own? How does grass affect the ball’s motion? What role does gravity play in a truck’s speed?
  • Motion: Push, Pull, Fast and Slow by Darlene Stiles. (6:26 mins.)
  • A fun exploration of forces and motion to include speed, inertia, direction, and gravity. More focused on speed and friction than on pushing and pulling.
  • Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee (2:29 mins.)is a recreation of a roller coaster ride, exploring every climb and dive, teaching children about force, motion, and gravity in a thrilling way.

SINGING AND MOVING TOGETHER: 

Music and songs are an easy way to encourage children to move in creative and innovative ways. The following are songs, some audio only and some with actions, recommended on the appetitetoplay.com website.

• Wiggy Wiggles Freeze Dance by Hap Palmer – video and music (1:39 mins.)
• Tiptoe, Gallop or March by Andrew Holdsworth – music only (2:36 mins.) 
• Let’s Go to the Zoo from Super Simple Songs – video and music (3:59 mins.)
• Action Dance – Alpha Beat by Kate Kuper and Neal Robinson – music (2:27 mins.)
• Ninja Moves by Gillian from the VSO SOM – video and music  (2:10 mins.)
• The Exercise Game #1 by  Mark D. Pencil – video and music(5:39 mins.)
• Cupid Shuffle Rap by Cupid Shuffle – music with words (3:46 mins.)
• Moving our Bodies – with Grover. – video and song (1:00 min.)
• Elmo’s Got the Moves video and dance (:31 secs.)

“Families have the most important role in contributing to children’s well-being and learning.” Early Learning Framework. B.C. Ministry of Education“

2. Create and move together: Games, Crafts, Drawing, Constructing 🧩 

• Movement Skills: Children are better equipped to succeed and develop confidence in their abilities when they have an opportunity to choose play-based activities of interest and when they are recognized for their strengths. By reassuring children that although they may not be able to do everything that their brothers or sisters or peers can do, they are unique individuals with special abilities which they can share with others. When we take the time to gradually involve them in more complex experiences and focus on the positive things they can do, children feel proud, confident and are more motivated to learn.
  • The following videos about movement skills depend on each child’s unique abilities and physical readiness. Some children may be ready to begin learning some of the these fundamental movement skills as early as three or four years of age, but it may take many months or years to master each skill through ongoing practice. Progress in skill development happens with consistent praise, practice and support. The following movement videos break down each skill set to demonstrate how to teach children: Balancing; Jumping; Running; Hopping; Skipping; Striking (two-handed); Throwing; Overhand; Catching; Dodging; Dribbling (Soccer); Kicking (soccer).

• Games: Many skills such as taking turns, counting or learning how to win and lose gracefully are reinforced when children play games. Puzzles, drawing, playing games or constructing are enjoyable and fun activities for children that engage their hands and bodies in fine or gross motor skill development. 
  • Enjoy creating this Movement Game with your children from the Sesame Street gang! Download and print the cards, cut them out, and mix them in a bag. Children take turns picking a card out of the bag, reading it together and then jumping, hopping, stretching, dancing, stomping, or wiggling. 
  • Watch the Balance Dice video (30 sec.) and then download the template to cut, fold and create a fun game of Yoga poses.
  • All About Me Board Game – involves children moving their bodies to replicate animal movement but also includes learning relevant information such as their address.

• Yoga improves balance, strength, endurance, and aerobic capacity in children. Read about the many benefits of yoga and mindfulness to improve a child’s physical and mental health. This video of children trying yoga (3:35 mins.) for the first time may cause some chuckles as it highlights some interesting poses that you can try with children at home or at school. 

• Puzzles engage children’s gross and fine motor skills and with the Who pooped? puzzle, encourage tons of laughter. This 3 meter wide 100 piece floor puzzle includes pictures of animals and…of course…their poop! Why is it most of us, young or old, still enjoy bathroom humour?

• Sidewalk Chalk is an artistic outlet for children to create and enjoy some fresh air during these days of limited social contact. Read and encourage your children to create 10 awesomely fun sidewalk chalk activities. Share David Zinn’s video Fun Sidewalk Chalk Art Ideas (3:04 mins.) with your child to stimulate even more creative ideas. You may have the rest of the neighborhood strolling past your sidewalks to view your child’s amazing creations! If this is a hit activity in your household consider purchasing: 
  • Sturdy chalk sticks with holders in multi-colours
  • David Zinn’s book The Chalk Art Handbook: How to Create Masterpieces on Driveways and Sidewalks and in Playgrounds

3. Explore together 🌍

AROUND METRO VANCOUVER:

• Field Trips or Family Outings can provide opportunities for meaningful and relevant learning. During these challenging times and as reported in the media, anti-Asian racism and violence is regrettably occurring even more frequently. You may wish to encourage discussion at home or in the classroom about how important it is to be kind, respectful, and to avoid stereotyping where everyone who belongs to a specific race is blamed for an inappropriate action. Through discussion, our actions, and perhaps as a result of the following field trips or family outings you may find ways to reinforce these important ideas.
  • UBC Botanical Garden & Greenheart Tree Walk tour is an inclusive and accessible space that welcomes, respects and values the diversity of all – particularly in the wake of the recent rise in anti-Asian racism and violence. Read UBC Department of Asian Studies’ statement on anti-Asian racism and to find upcoming webinars, resources, and more. 
  • UBC Nitobe Memorial Garden  can be seen as a bridge connecting cultures so we can learn more about each other and the Japanese culture.
  • Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden located in Chinatown, offers guided tours that highlight traditional Ming Dynasty family life, philosophy and arts. 

• Self-guided walking or cycling tours for the family. 
  • Bikennale-Walkennale tour is a enjoyable way to combine outdoor recreation with information about public art and points of cultural, historical and architectural interest throughout Metro Vancouver.  Register your family once and participate whenever you like and as often as you like all year.
  • Are you interested in learning more about the trees as you cycle or walk around Vancouver? Consider the Vancouver Tree App so you can search for tree images, view locations on maps and create favorite plant lists.
  • Explore 5 actively engaging playgrounds around Metro Vancouver with your child.

ANYWHERE:

• Outdoor or indoor physical activities:
  • Watch the live cam of the otters at Monterey Bay Aquarium or the panda bears at the Atlanta Zoo to encourage children to take time to carefully observe the animals. They can then replicate the movements of a panda climbing or chomping on bamboo or rolling over and swimming like the otters. 
  • Enjoy these indoor games for the family to remain active rain or shine.
  • Enjoy a 7 day trial and engage in a live interactive music and movement adventure called Hamilton Sing & Dance-along.
  • Explore this booklet 50+ Ideas for exploring creative movement outside in the early years.     

4. Engage and Interact: 👭

• Providing Movement-rich Environments
  • Teaching children to ride a bike involves many skills. Patience for the parent (oh yes!) and balance, readiness and confidence for the child. This article and video provides many tips for parents as they take this exciting step and teach their child the life-changing skill of how to ride a bike.
  • Explore the science of movement:
    • After reading and sharing the two books: 1)  Newton and Me or 2) Motion – Push, Pull, Fast and Slow, this Guide to accompany the book Newton and Me assists educators and parents to support children learn more about the science behind movement and motion. This video shares how Newton’s Laws of Motion occur in children’s everyday experiences and affect the objects around them.  
  • Creative dance teaches children to move in a variety of ways and be in the moment as they plan the next steps. They engage many of their body parts in different shapes and positions and are in tune with the flow and speed of the movement. They can also express their feelings and emotions through dance.
    • Enjoy this video and Active Movement Song which incorporates music and playful movement.                                                                
    • The Animal Walks video with activities encourages children to move and improve their locomotor skills and strength as they run, skip, hop and balance.
    • Enjoy a Sesame Street Read and Move Story book and learn some new moves!
    • Check out your local community centre to see what sessions they are offering for young learners.
      • Lesson 1 and Lesson 4 are two online Dance Sessions offered by the Coquitlam Community Centre        
• Promoting Positive Body Image and Confidence
  • Numerous studies show that low self-esteem can begin early in young children and can adversely impact their performance in school, their relationship with others, and their own self-perception. As children become more aware and compare themselves to others, both in person and in the media, you may wish to initiate discussion with children by sharing this Body Image video (3:19 mins.) or explore some activities in the Educator;s Guide. In the video, young children learn from their peers about how to analyze the images seen online, build strategies to fight weight-based bullying and teasing, appreciate their inner beauty, recognize their strengths and learn the importance of being proud of who they are! 

5. Reflect: Thoughts of the Day about Physical Literacy and Learning 💭

The early years provides a window of opportunity for developing motor skills and establishing lifelong patterns. It’s also a time of rapid growth and development physically, emotionally and socially. Physical activity in the first five years helps the brain grow and develop and supports development of social skills. Children of all ages learn through active play. Active play can be done in a number of ways including facilitated or unstructured, indoors or outdoors and in groups, pairs or alone. Active play leads to movement, competence, and confidence. Appetitetoplay.com

What do running, jumping, and throwing have in common? They are all things that kids love to do, and at the same time are key building blocks for being physically active for life. What I’m talking about is physical literacy. Physical Literacy is having the movement vocabulary (fundamental movement skills) and motivation, confidence and competence to move for a lifetime!

SHAPING INFLUENCES OF “A CAPABLE PERSON”

The tipi metaphor brings meaning to the discussion of how an individual develops into a capable person and what influences that growth. There are four structures: the centre with its grounding influences of the circle of self and identity; the tripod of relationality that encourages searching for meaning in time, people, and place; the spirals emanating from the centre of the narrative space, with their recurring influences of the ancient and spiritual teachings of Elders’ stories; and the “canvas” covering the tipi, that represents the outside influence surrounding children as they grow and develop into capable people. V. Angela James – NWT Author & Researcher 2016

 

NEXT BLOG – JUNE 18: MEDLEY OF JUNE ACTIVITIES