The Reason for Tumbling and Play-dates with a Twist
Motor coordination and development is heavily
influenced by children’s access to play. Fine motor skills involve the
coordination of small muscle movements that enable children to complete tasks
like manipulating objects, tying shoes, zipping jackets, and writing
(http://www.pbs.org/parents/child-development/sensory-play/developing-and-cultivating-skills-through-sensory-play/).
Conventional toys such as pegboards, puzzles, blocks, play dough, beads,
paintbrushes, and markers all support small muscle development and motor
memory. There are also countless ways to take everyday items and turn them into
fine motor play activities (http://theimaginationtree.com). For example,
children can dig items out of sand/play dough/rice, manipulate pipe cleaners to
create art projects, finger paint, construct jewelry from pasta/beads, and
explore sensory trays to draw shapes/letters (http://theimaginationtree.com/).
In addition to the development of fine motor skills, play also facilitates
gross motor skills. Gross motor skills refer to the large muscles of the body,
which are necessary for activities such as walking, running, pushing, pulling,
and throwing
(http://www.pbs.org/parents/child-development/sensory-play/developing-and-cultivating-skills-through-sensory-play.). There are countless naturally occurring play
activities that develop large muscles. Some examples include dancing, tumbling,
playing catch, climbing, jumping rope, gymnastics, and soccer
(http://familyfitness.about.com/od/preschoolers/a/grossmotorskill.htm). If you have a playroom, building obstacle
courses, climbing walls, balance beams, and swings are ways to make your home a
mecca of gross motor development for hours of fun. George’s Gym’s curriculum is
designed to allow gross and fine motor skills to flourish. This includes
activities that involve holding markers, applying stickers, throwing balls, and
tumbling. Our goal is to create that mind/body connection, and strengthen both
through play. By providing opportunities
to engage in physical activity, we hope to provide the necessary foundation to
ease the journey through childhood.