As therapists, we love activities for kids that can be adapted for all ages and ability levels. This activity can be as simple, or as challenging as you make it! The object is to get your partner to copy the position of your body as if they were looking into a mirror. And while you're at it, learn some cooperation skills! WHAT YOU'LL NEED: You'll just need the kids and some open space for this one! WHAT TO DO: Designate one child as the “leader” and place the children so that they are facing each other. The leader positions her body and asks the other child to mimic that position. ... Read More about The Easiest Cooperation Game for Kids: Mirror, Mirror
¿Cómo saber si tu hijo desarrolla una musculatura central fuerte?
Si ya nos sigues en The Inspired Treehouse , seguramente has leído algunas de nuestras publicaciones sobre el fortalecimiento básico para niños. Para algunos, este concepto suena un poco alocado. ¿Músculos centrales? ¿Fortalecimiento muscular? ¿¡Para niños!? ¿De qué hablan? ¿Por qué no podemos dejar que los niños sean tan solo ser niños? Quédense tranquilos, no estamos hablando de armar rutinas de trabajo con los niños para que sus abdominales luzcan trabajados. No es esa la idea. Hablamos simplemente de dar a los niños una base sólida para que desarrollen cada una de sus destrezas de ... Read More about ¿Cómo saber si tu hijo desarrolla una musculatura central fuerte?
OUR FAVORITE KIDS BOOKS ABOUT COOPERATION
Check out a few of our favorite kids books about cooperation skills and friendship! 1 Frederick by Leo Lionni: A sweet tale about the magic that can happen when everyone contributes his unique talents to the team. 2 Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle: This catchy, song-like book tells the tale of Blue, the friends he makes along his way, and how they all work together to help Blue out when he's in a jam. 3 Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman: A cute little rhyme about a hungry Bear and his forest friends who all pitch in to help him fill his tummy. 4 Can I Play Too? by Mo ... Read More about OUR FAVORITE KIDS BOOKS ABOUT COOPERATION
Activities for Kids: Partner Obstacle Course
This fun obstacle course for kids is a great way to encourage teamwork and social skills while also working on gross motor skills like balance and coordination! Remember the days of having to hold your best friend’s hand everywhere you went? Kids will play on this sign of friendship in these fun obstacle course gross motor development activities for kids. What you'll need: Varies depending on activities of choice above What to do: Create an obstacle course (ideas below!) and have the children try to maneuver through it while holding their partner’s hand. Don’t let go or you have to ... Read More about Activities for Kids: Partner Obstacle Course
GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES: CREATE YOUR OWN ROLLER COASTER
Gross Motor Development Activity: Create Your Own Roller Coaster Ride Ok, lets have some fun today! In my career as an OT (and also as a mom who encourages her kids to explore anything and everything), I have never come across a child who does not like to move! Sometimes the simplest gross motor activities can be the most fun. So find some kids and a sheet, and lets go! WHAT YOU'LL NEED: Sheet (any size) WHAT DO DO: Spread a sheet (any size) on a wood or tile floor, or outside on the grass. Instruct one child to sit cross-legged on the sheet and grasp the the edges on either side of ... Read More about GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES: CREATE YOUR OWN ROLLER COASTER
GROUP GAMES FOR KIDS: WACKY RELAY!
Group games for kids are a great way to focus on social skills, teamwork, and gross motor skills! Here's one of our favorites! This game takes a traditional relay challenge and turns it on it's head! Easy, free kids games are hard to come by, but this fun activity for gross motor skill development requires no planning and only simple materials you can find around your house! It's sure to get some smiles while challenging kids' motor skills and social skills too! WHAT YOU'LL NEED: An object to carry WHAT TO DO: Two children carry an object of choice (ball, pencil, stuffed animal, ... Read More about GROUP GAMES FOR KIDS: WACKY RELAY!
TOYS AND ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: COOPERATION
This post contains affiliate links. Read more. Looking for toys and activities for kids that will inspire teamwork and cooperation? Check out a few of our favorite things! 1 Super Slider Zoom Ball: An interactive gross motor toy that depends on cooperation while also targeting bilateral coordination, body awareness, and strengthening 2 The Cooperative Band: A fun addition to group gross motor activities and a great way to build balance, strength, and body awareness 3 Richard Scarry’s Busytown Eye Found It Game: Targets cooperative play and communication by requiring all players to work ... Read More about TOYS AND ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: COOPERATION
PAPER CRAFTS FOR KIDS: FRIENDSHIP CHAIN
We love easy paper crafts for kids! Here's one of my favorite fine motor activities for kids with a new twist: the friendship paper chain! “Is it Friday yet?” “How many days until we get to go to Dylans house?” Or, my personal favorite, “Is it tomorrow yet?” You’ve probably heard a few of these gems as your child counts down the days until an exciting event. A paper chain can be a fun way to count down to a visit with a cousin, a meet-up with a play group, or a special classroom event. This version sets the stage for a lesson on what it means to be a good friend. WHAT YOU'LL NEED: ... Read More about PAPER CRAFTS FOR KIDS: FRIENDSHIP CHAIN