Lucky kids! It also enhances their cognitive skills (problem solving), social skills (give and take within a space) and language skills (something interesting to talk about) which we know are all related anyway. Bravo.
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Vicki Knauerhase M.Ed.
Child Development Specialist (retired)
Weston OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2019 01:45 AM
From: Jodi Butzer
Subject: Movement!
I am a Lead Toddle teacher. Movement is so important in play and the needs of their little bodies. I took the concept of the need for gross motor development to our board. The kids were constantly wanting to climb and estimate risk. Climbing toy shelves and tables can become dangerous quickly. I explained to the board how gross motor needs to be built for fine motor to develop. Also the importance of full body gross motor movement. They then approved a whole climbing system that is installed in the classroom for them to play on all day. This is also a must when we have many days that have below 0 temperatures outside. It's been a long tough winter.
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Jodi Butzer
Sioux Falls SD
Original Message:
Sent: 03-11-2019 05:27 AM
From: Sophia Breytenbach
Subject: Movement!
It amazes me how easily we as small child educators are lured away from such an important factor as movement is. Therefore I am so glad Nicole Schiffmacher reminded us again that fine muscle skills flow from large muscle skills..the core of the body needs to be stable....We are so often inclined to teach the children to read or write that we forget that all these fine-motor skills need a foundation in the gross-motor skills. We as educators should take a firm stand against each and everybody who misguides, misleads and plainly lies to parents and others regarding the importance of play which by it's definition assumes PLAYING.
Thank you NAEYC for the fantastic book I have received on play: "Serious Fun. How guided play extends children's learning."
Sophie