Physical Development and Health

KDI:

16. Gross-motor skills: Children demonstrate strength, flexibility, balance, and timing in using their large muscles.

17. Fine-motor skills: Children demonstrate dexterity and hand-eye coordination in using their small muscles. 

18. Body awareness: Children know about their bodies and how to navigate them in space. 

19. Personal care: Children carry out personal care routines on their own. 

20. Healthy behavior: Children engage in healthy practices. 

ALL MATERIALS:

• Cones
• Balls
• Hoops
• Outdoor play equipment
• Safety scissors
• Paper
• Crayons
• Beads and string
• Sink
• Soap
• Paper towels
• Visual handwashing chart

LESSON PLANS CAN BE COMPLETED IN THE CLASSROOM - NO ROOM CHANGES 

Name of Activity: Activating Our Bodies

Originating Idea: The children have been very active and enjoy running, jumping, and climbing during outdoor play.

Curriculum Area: 16. Gross-motor skills: Children demonstrate strength, flexibility, balance, and timing in using their large muscles.

Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies

Materials

• Cones
• Balls
• Hoops
• Outdoor play equipment

Appropriate Age Group: Pre-K

Beginning of Activity

Today we are going to move our bodies in different ways. I will say, we can run, jump, and balance. I will demonstrate each movement for the children.

Middle of Activity

Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels

Now I am going to ask you to move your bodies using the equipment and try different movements like running, jumping, and balancing.

Early:
A child is just beginning to use large muscles. I will encourage simple movements like walking or rolling a ball.

Middle:
A child can run and jump. I will add challenges like jumping over a line or balancing for a short time.

Later:
A child shows strong coordination. I will create obstacle courses that include multiple movements like jumping, balancing, and running.

End of Activity

Today we used our bodies to move in different ways. You practiced running, jumping, and balancing. Tell a friend what your favorite movement was.

Follow-up Ideas (2)

• Create a more complex obstacle course
• Play movement games like “Simon Says”

Assessment

Children were able to demonstrate gross-motor skills at their developmental level.

Name of Activity: Using Our Hands

Originating Idea: The children have been interested in drawing, cutting, and using small materials.

Curriculum Area: 17. Fine-motor skills: Children demonstrate dexterity and hand-eye coordination in using their small muscles.

Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies

Materials

• Safety scissors
• Paper
• Crayons
• Beads and string

Appropriate Age Group: Pre-K

Beginning of Activity

Today we are going to use our hands to create an art project. I will show the children how to hold scissors and how to draw and string beads.

Middle of Activity

Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels

Now I am going to ask you to use the materials to create something using your hands. You can draw, cut, or string beads.

Early:
A child is developing hand control. I will provide larger materials and assist with grasping tools.

Middle:
A child can use tools with some control. I will encourage cutting along lines or stringing beads independently.

Later:
A child has strong fine-motor skills. I will offer more detailed tasks like cutting shapes or creating patterns with beads.

End of Activity

Today we used our hands to create and practice new skills. Tell a friend what you made.

Follow-up Ideas (2)

• Provide playdough for strengthening hand muscles
• Introduce more detailed art projects

Assessment

Children were able to use fine-motor skills at their developmental level.