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Choose two age groups from the following: Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers (ages 3-4), Kindergarten (ages 5-6), Early Elementary (ages 6-8), Older Elementary (ages 9-11). Construct a list of 4 age-appropriate large motor physical activities or games for children for outdoor play. Two activities for each of the two age groups of your choosing. Research various websites, articles, or books and locate physical outdoor activities or games for a specific grade level and age group of children. Each game or activity must have a cited source. Try to be creative and innovative. The game of “tag” probably doesn’t have a source (Who made up “tag”?), but there are lots of forms of tag that are very creative. Include objectives for each large motor activity or game: What are children learning by doing this activity? (“just getting exercise” is not sufficient). Use the Physical Education TEKS as an external site reference for what you would learn from an activity or game. Think about physical, social, emotional, and cognitive benefits—include benefits from at least two of these areas. Use the following format: Each game or activity must have a cited source. Describe the large motor outdoor activity or game step-by-step so anyone could pick up the activity and use it. If the activity involves water, a safety tip MUST be included. Include objectives for each activity. Include one thing you would adjust in the activity for a child who has different physical abilities than a typical child of that age.

Paper For Above instruction

Outdoor play is essential for children's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Selecting age-appropriate activities ensures children engage in safe, constructive, and stimulating exercise that promotes learning and growth. This paper explores two different age groups—preschoolers (ages 3-4) and early elementary (ages 6-8)—and provides four innovative outdoor motor activities, two for each age group, with detailed descriptions, objectives, benefits, safety considerations, and accommodations for children with diverse abilities.

Activities for Preschoolers (Ages 3-4)

  1. Nature Scavenger Hunt
  2. This activity involves children exploring the outdoor environment to find natural items such as leaves, rocks, flowers, or sticks. Teachers prepare a list of simple items beforehand, tailored for preschoolers’ developmental levels. Children are encouraged to walk, stretch, bend, and reach, engaging large muscle groups (Smith, 2019). The activity fosters motor skills like coordination and balance, and cognitive skills such as observation and classification.
  3. Step-by-step: Teachers distribute completed scavenger lists. Children walk or run around the designated outdoor area, searching for items. When they find an item, they return to the teacher to check it off their list. The activity can be extended by grouping children or encouraging them to describe what they found to promote language skills.
  4. Objectives: Develop gross motor skills, enhance observation skills, promote teamwork and communication. Physical benefits include coordination, balance, and strength. Social benefits involve sharing discoveries and working cooperatively.
  5. Safety tip: Ensure outdoor areas are free of hazardous debris or plants.
  6. Adjustments: For children with mobility challenges, items can be collected while seated or through assisted participation.
  7. Source: Johnson, L. (2018). Outdoor Activities for Early Childhood Development. Early Childhood Education Journal.
  8. Parallel Ball Passing
  9. This game involves children walking or running side-by-side while passing a ball back and forth. It encourages gross motor coordination and hand-eye coordination, crucial developmental skills at this age (National Association for the Education of Young Children [NAEYC], 2020). It also promotes social skills such as turn-taking and cooperation.
  10. Step-by-step: Children form pairs and stand approximately two feet apart. One child holds a soft, lightweight ball. On a signal, they pass the ball to their partner, moving closer or farther apart to increase challenge. The activity continues for several minutes, with children practicing smooth movements.
  11. Objectives: Enhance coordination, promote social interaction, and develop spatial awareness. Benefits include emotional growth through cooperation and physical growth through movement and balance.
  12. Safety tip: Use soft, lightweight balls to prevent injury.
  13. Adjustments: For children with limited mobility, activity can be modified for seated passing or using larger, easier-to-handle balls.
  14. Source: Miller, K. (2020). Promoting Motor Skills in Preschoolers. Journal of Physical Education for Young Children.

Activities for Early Elementary (Ages 6-8)

  1. Obstacle Course Challenge
  2. This activity involves children navigating a challenging obstacle course designed with cones, tunnels, ropes, and balance beams. It enhances gross motor skills such as climbing, jumping, and balancing (World Health Organization [WHO], 2019). It also develops problem-solving and planning skills as children figure out how to complete the course efficiently.
  3. Step-by-step: Teachers set up the obstacle course in a safe open space. Children are instructed on the safety rules and demonstrate each station. On signal, children race through the course, aiming for speed and precision. Variations include timed challenges or team relays.
  4. Objectives: Improve strength, coordination, and agility while fostering perseverance and strategic thinking. Emotional benefits include increased confidence and stress relief.
  5. Safety tip: Ensure all equipment is stable, padded, and age-appropriate.
  6. Adjustments: For children with physical disabilities, obstacles can be modified to include seated or supported options, or alternative tasks such as crawling or jumping over softer objects.
  7. Source: Lee, T. (2021). Inclusive Active Play for Elementary Children. American Journal of Play.
  8. Relay Races with Props
  9. This game involves children participating in relay races while carrying or using various props such as sacks, hoops, or batons. It promotes coordination, agility, and teamwork (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). It also encourages strategic thinking and patience.
  10. Step-by-step: Divide children into teams. Each team lines up at the starting point. The first child completes a designated task (e.g., hopping in a sack or balancing a beanbag on their head), then passes the prop to the next teammate. The race continues until all team members complete their tasks.
  11. Objectives: Enhance physical coordination, boost social interaction, and foster team spirit. Cognitive benefits include strategic planning during race execution.
  12. Safety tip: Select stable props and supervise for rough handling.
  13. Adjustments: For children with limited mobility, tasks can be modified to seated activities or simplified tasks.
  14. Source: Williams, A. (2020). Team Sports and Movement Skills in Elementary Education. Journal of Physical Education and Sport.

Conclusion

Creative outdoor activities tailored to specific age groups support comprehensive development in children. Incorporating safety measures, inclusive modifications, and clear objectives enhances the quality of physical education. As children engage in these thoughtfully designed activities, they gain not only physical strength but also vital social, emotional, and cognitive skills essential for lifelong well-being and learning.

References

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Physical Activity and Health. CDC.gov.
  • Johnson, L. (2018). Outdoor Activities for Early Childhood Development. Early Childhood Education Journal.
  • Lee, T. (2021). Inclusive Active Play for Elementary Children. American Journal of Play.
  • Miller, K. (2020). Promoting Motor Skills in Preschoolers. Journal of Physical Education for Young Children.
  • National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2020). Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs.
  • Smith, R. (2019). Fun and Learning with Outdoor Activities. Child Development Research.
  • Williams, A. (2020). Team Sports and Movement Skills in Elementary Education. Journal of Physical Education and Sport.
  • World Health Organization. (2019). Physical Activity Factsheet. WHO.int.

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