We are always observing and noticing how the children are working in the classroom. We help them to build skills, solve problems, and we spend a great deal of time thinking about and working on children’s social and emotional development in preschool. So too, we work to help children with their physical growth and development. Every day, this means going outside to play, where teachers are always observing and taking notice of children’s physical skills and abilities.
At the park, children are encouraged by each other and by teachers to climb, run, spin, jump, or go down the slide. At times, children have not tried some of these things before, or they may shy away from trying something because it may be a hard thing for their body to do. Just as we might encourage children to persist in working on a tricky puzzle, or help children to build muscle and stamina when working on a challenging drawing, we guide children with physical challenges as well. Building physical skills now can help children to develop a foundation for more complex motor skills later in life.
We have already seen many children doing things at the park that
they were not doing when the school year began. Some children are reaching new heights on the climbing dome. Some children are going down the slide. A child exclaimed this week, “I did the monkey bars for the first time!”
they were not doing when the school year began. Some children are reaching new heights on the climbing dome. Some children are going down the slide. A child exclaimed this week, “I did the monkey bars for the first time!”
Mr. Licato, Mustard Seed’s Physical Education teacher, joins us in the park each Wednesday and Friday morning, and he has been working with children to hang and try to pull up their feet on the low bar.
This work is helping to develop core and upper body strength. Mr. Licato is a popular figure at the park and long lines form to work with him! He will continue to work with children on different physical challenges throughout the school year, as will all of the teachers.
Children who stay for the full day also enjoy spending time every Tuesday afternoon with Mr. Licato during P.E.
The children do warmup movements that develop muscle memory, strength, and flexibility.
They play games such as category tag or "Mr. Fox", which help to develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
In addition, these experiences allow the students to interact together for a common goal and exercise self discipline within a group activity. During gym, children typically end with a "cool down" where they take deep breaths, do a light stretch to loosen their muscles, and slow their heart rate down before returning to class. They have really been enjoying this time with Mr. Licato!
Being physically strong and capable is part of overall growth and development, and we are working on it in many ways at school! If you are at the park, you may want to ask your child to show you some new tricks!
