Did you know that right around the age of 5, your child should be able to get the hang of using both sides of her body together to coordinate a jumping jack? This is an important skill in child development – one that they will have to demonstrate over and over in their physical education classes at school. An easy way to tackle this large body movement is to have the child mimic the shapes of letters with her body. This method provides a visual component that helps with motor planning.
Have him make an “X” with his body by jumping his legs out wide and lifting his arms up high overhead. Then, have him make an “I” with his body by jumping his legs back together and moving his arms back down by his sides. Start by saying the letters slowly, having him demonstrate each in slow motion. Then gradually speed it up. Before you know it, she’ll be proud to show you a real jumping jack!!
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PHOTO CREDIT: (α is for äpΩL † via photopin cc – text added to photo)
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Margaret@YourTherapySource says
Good tip. I have been successful with X and I but also “airplane” for arms out feet out and “pencil” for arms down feet in. Another tip is to break down the skill – only do legs out with arms at side to start then add in arms (or vice versa). Try snow angels on ground to also get motion of jumping jack with less to control against gravity. This can be a tough skill for some children to master especially the fluidity of a jumping jack.
M says
I play soldier/bear with my students and have floor visuals to help with foot placement. I tell them to make a big bear with there arms tall and feet wide. I gradually back off on providing a visual model and the verbal cues of soldier—–bear—soldier, etc. Then we work on fluidity doing a couple of reps quickly. Before you know it the child is able to show me their jumping jacks.