OCTOBER ACTIVITIES
With the days getting shorter, it is even more important that children get outdoors
while in child care. By the time they get home it may be getting dark. The cooler
weather helps make outdoor activities more enjoyable. Remember, outdoors isn’t just
for large muscle movement. Circle time, art, reading, and many other activities can be
done outdoors.
INFANT ACTIVITY: When an infant is able to hold it’s head up while lying on tummy
(usually around 2 months), you can help them learn to use their large muscles to
maintain balance. One fun exercise is to lie on the floor with the child on your stomach,
facing you. Hold your hand on the infant’s back as you roll from side to side (have
pillows or blankets on each side of you so there is something soft for the infant to touch
on either side). This will cause the child to contract various muscles to maintain a
balanced position. As the child gains more control, loosen your grip to where you are
barely holding on. Be sure and interact with the child while doing this (yu can pretend to
be an airplane banking from side to side and make airplane noises)
TODDLER ACTIVITY: You can introduce toddlers to the idea of “stop and go” by playing
music and dancing. Explain that when the music is playing everyone will go (dance) and
when it stops, everyone stops. This also helps develop listening skills. Be sure to be
prepared to be patient while the children are exploring the concept of starting and
stopping on a signal.
PRE SCHOOL ACTIVITY: Blow up a beach ball and write action words on the colored
sections (such as jump, wiggle, turn, shake, hop). Play catch with a partner or in a group.
Roll or throw the ball to each other. When the child catches the ball, they should look to
see where their hand is on the ball and do that action. Catching is a skill that takes a lot
of practice. It is considered a manipulative or object control skill because it involves
receiving and controlling the ball. Children begin by catching the ball with their whole
body. They trap it against their body with their arms and hands. Eventually they
progress to catching with only their hands. You can help them become successful by
telling them to “watch the ball”, “put your arms and hands out and get ready to catch
the ball” and/ or “reach for the ball”. This is one of those skills that doesn’t come
automatically and must be learned.
This month’s activities have come from “Head Start Body Start” the National Center for
Physical Development and Outdoor Play. You can find more information and activity
ideas at www.headstartbodystart.org