Open Discussion Forum

​The parachute is a versatile tool for outside play. You can create many games to keep them occupied. Besides bouncing small toys in the center, we talk about wind and practice creating "storms". Throw glitter or wadded paper (their contribution) to toss about. We have called 2 children who have to swap spots by running underneath as everyone else lifts the chute up. When we discuss healthy foods, we talk about fruits & vegetables. Each child had a small stuffed food item. When that item is called the child throws it into the middle. If it doesn't go to the middle, our goal is to work together to get it there. After all the foods are in the middle we called it a tossed salad (fruit or vegetable salad) and "toss" the salad. Other playground activities they love is running. Children love to race each other. We use 1, 2, & 3 direction steps (depending on age) to give them a goal to their running. For example, "Run to the slide, touch it, then run to the fence." As they get better, you can add other steps to their running. I, personally love obstacle courses. You can use stepping stones (small mats), extendable tunnels, hula hoops (to step in & out of or to crawl through), a balance beam, cones, and other items you have to run around, crawl under, step into & out of, etc. It IS important for them to have free play outside, but a structured activity can incorporate even more learning opportunities, such as the ability to take turns, patience, cooperation, and promotes the joy of exercise. These are just a few of the things I have used in the past.

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Theresa Wood
Teacher Assistant
Wayne County Action Program Head Start
Palmyra NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-07-2019 05:48 PM
From: Susan Bienz
Subject: Children's games for Gym time or outdoors

Where is a good list to find games that get children to interact during gym or outdoor time?     Before Christmas I got out the parachute, they loved it.   The teachers mostly just let the kids run around and play with various toys we have in storage.

Susan, Fort Wayne IN

Free play outdoors is very important, just as it is inside. Don't think that just because there isn't something structured they aren't getting the benefits. Depending on the age group (prek-school age) it is easier to provide structured games with rules and time limits, but the freedom to run and play are just as beneficial and acceptable for gym/outdoor time. Maybe the staff need a training on engagement during outdoor play...? Provide examples on how the materials you have available can be used, and never be afraid to bring the inside to the outdoors and vice versa. 

But if you are still looking for ideas, a quick google and/or pinterest search can help. Red Leaf Press has some good books on the topic. I receive their catalog and look to my local library for the resource to read and share with the staff and/or create my own training to provide. I see you are an Indiana resident; you can sign up for the library through (IYI) Indiana Youth Institute and search their database and if they have what you are looking for then they will ship it to you for FREE and provide a return label as well! :) They have A LOT of resources for early childhood! 

Hope this helps!!!!

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Brooke Hastings
Kendallville IN
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-07-2019 05:48 PM
From: Susan Bienz
Subject: Children's games for Gym time or outdoors

Where is a good list to find games that get children to interact during gym or outdoor time?     Before Christmas I got out the parachute, they loved it.   The teachers mostly just let the kids run around and play with various toys we have in storage.

Susan, Fort Wayne IN

Free choice in outdoor play is essential for young children. As is the case in the classroom, children will use their imaginations to create scenarios and games on their own. The key is for all staff to be stationed around the playground with responsibility for keeping an eye on what children are doing to ensure their safety. Most adults are risk averse so we need to be careful to provide enough leeway for students to experiment and test their skills and not be overly cautious. Teachers and assistants should not be clustered together as though they were having coffee. Their eyes and ears must be focused on the children.

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Nora Krieger
Associate Professor Emerita/ Chair NJEEPRE
Bloomfield College/ New Jersey Educators Exploring the Practices of Reggio Emilia
Highland Park NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-08-2019 08:49 AM
From: Brooke Hastings
Subject: Children's games for Gym time or outdoors

Free play outdoors is very important, just as it is inside. Don't think that just because there isn't something structured they aren't getting the benefits. Depending on the age group (prek-school age) it is easier to provide structured games with rules and time limits, but the freedom to run and play are just as beneficial and acceptable for gym/outdoor time. Maybe the staff need a training on engagement during outdoor play...? Provide examples on how the materials you have available can be used, and never be afraid to bring the inside to the outdoors and vice versa.

But if you are still looking for ideas, a quick google and/or pinterest search can help. Red Leaf Press has some good books on the topic. I receive their catalog and look to my local library for the resource to read and share with the staff and/or create my own training to provide. I see you are an Indiana resident; you can sign up for the library through (IYI) Indiana Youth Institute and search their database and if they have what you are looking for then they will ship it to you for FREE and provide a return label as well! :) They have A LOT of resources for early childhood!

Hope this helps!!!!

------------------------------
Brooke Hastings
Kendallville IN

Original Message:
Sent: 01-07-2019 05:48 PM
From: Susan Bienz
Subject: Children's games for Gym time or outdoors

Where is a good list to find games that get children to interact during gym or outdoor time?     Before Christmas I got out the parachute, they loved it.   The teachers mostly just let the kids run around and play with various toys we have in storage.

Susan, Fort Wayne IN

Original Message------

Free play outdoors is very important, just as it is inside. Don't think that just because there isn't something structured they aren't getting the benefits. Depending on the age group (prek-school age) it is easier to provide structured games with rules and time limits, but the freedom to run and play are just as beneficial and acceptable for gym/outdoor time. Maybe the staff need a training on engagement during outdoor play...? Provide examples on how the materials you have available can be used, and never be afraid to bring the inside to the outdoors and vice versa. 

But if you are still looking for ideas, a quick google and/or pinterest search can help. Red Leaf Press has some good books on the topic. I receive their catalog and look to my local library for the resource to read and share with the staff and/or create my own training to provide. I see you are an Indiana resident; you can sign up for the library through (IYI) Indiana Youth Institute and search their database and if they have what you are looking for then they will ship it to you for FREE and provide a return label as well! :) They have A LOT of resources for early childhood! 

Hope this helps!!!!

------------------------------
Brooke Hastings
Kendallville IN
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I agree with Brooke's statement that free play outdoors is important! But for indoor "gym time," you might check out Great Games for Young Children. Among other things, it has a section on parachute play.

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Rae Pica
Rae Pica Keynotes & Consulting
Alexandria VA
www.raepica.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-07-2019 05:48 PM
From: Susan Bienz
Subject: Children's games for Gym time or outdoors

Where is a good list to find games that get children to interact during gym or outdoor time?     Before Christmas I got out the parachute, they loved it.   The teachers mostly just let the kids run around and play with various toys we have in storage.

Susan, Fort Wayne IN

Original Message------

I agree with Brooke's statement that free play outdoors is important! But for indoor "gym time," you might check out Great Games for Young Children. Among other things, it has a section on parachute play.

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Rae Pica
Rae Pica Keynotes & Consulting
Alexandria VA
www.raepica.com
------------------------------

Children love it when they are able to move. When I was in the field teaching, the children had movement class on mondays and teh children would do different activities when they had movement class. One activity that the children did was toss a balloon up in the air and try and keep it in the air until the music stopped playing. Another activity that the children did was throw balls through a hoop hanging from a basketball net. The children loved to ride scooters back an forth on the ground, changing turns each time that they made it back to the start line. While you have the parachute out make it a fun by having the on the ground and having one child sit in the parachute while the other children shake it.

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Cheryl Morris
Saint Louis MO
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-07-2019 05:48 PM
From: Susan Bienz
Subject: Children's games for Gym time or outdoors

Where is a good list to find games that get children to interact during gym or outdoor time?     Before Christmas I got out the parachute, they loved it.   The teachers mostly just let the kids run around and play with various toys we have in storage.

Susan, Fort Wayne IN

Hi Susan,

Over the years I have found many books with games that are ready to implement or can easily be adapted to group size, age etc. I would suggest a classic the Outrageous Outdoor games book by Bob Greyson. Inclusive Games by Susan Kasser, and The Game and Play Leaders Handbook by Bill Michaelis and John O'Connell, finally Parachute Play by Liz and Dick Wilmes. Each of these books contains games that use simple materials and offerings for the parachute as well. These are usually available at the library so you can try them out, if not the are easily accessible on amazon.

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Gregory Baker
Portland OR
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-07-2019 05:48 PM
From: Susan Bienz
Subject: Children's games for Gym time or outdoors

Where is a good list to find games that get children to interact during gym or outdoor time?     Before Christmas I got out the parachute, they loved it.   The teachers mostly just let the kids run around and play with various toys we have in storage.

Susan, Fort Wayne IN

Susan,
Children love to move and physical activity is so very important to their overall development. One resource you can check out is https://preschoolathlete.com/videos. There are approximately 60 video clips of early childhood movement activities. I would also recommend resources from Diane Craft at  http://activeplaybooks.com/book-and-dvd-set/ and anything from Rae Pica, particularly her publications at  https://www.redleafpress.org/Rae-Picas-Moving-and-Learning-Set-P1090.aspx.

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John Ozmun
Professor
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion IN
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-07-2019 05:48 PM
From: Susan Bienz
Subject: Children's games for Gym time or outdoors

Where is a good list to find games that get children to interact during gym or outdoor time?     Before Christmas I got out the parachute, they loved it.   The teachers mostly just let the kids run around and play with various toys we have in storage.

Susan, Fort Wayne IN

Thank you for the recommendation, John!

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Rae Pica
Rae Pica Keynotes & Consulting
Alexandria VA
www.raepica.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-08-2019 09:04 PM
From: John Ozmun
Subject: Children's games for Gym time or outdoors

Susan,
Children love to move and physical activity is so very important to their overall development. One resource you can check out is https://preschoolathlete.com/videos. There are approximately 60 video clips of early childhood movement activities. I would also recommend resources from Diane Craft at  http://activeplaybooks.com/book-and-dvd-set/ and anything from Rae Pica, particularly her publications at  https://www.redleafpress.org/Rae-Picas-Moving-and-Learning-Set-P1090.aspx.

------------------------------
John Ozmun
Professor
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion IN

Original Message:
Sent: 01-07-2019 05:48 PM
From: Susan Bienz
Subject: Children's games for Gym time or outdoors

Where is a good list to find games that get children to interact during gym or outdoor time?     Before Christmas I got out the parachute, they loved it.   The teachers mostly just let the kids run around and play with various toys we have in storage.

Susan, Fort Wayne IN