Information included in the series of articles "We Like to Move It...Movement with A Purpose for Preschoolers" is for your general knowledge and use and is not intended as a substitute for the advice or care of medical or therapeutic professionals.  If you have any questions or concerns OR

if you or your child live with physical, mental or emotional limitations, please contact your physician and/or your child's physician before beginning any of the suggested activities. Activities provided are deemed appropriate for the average child age two to five years who has no physical, medical or mental limitations.  As with any activity, risks are involved and injury may occur.  No one knows your child's physical and mental abilities better than yourself, please proceed appropriately.

Following this article will be Part V...THE ACTIVITIES...finally!  It was very important to me that you understood what you will be doing and why before jumping into movement activities with your child because I am not there in person to guide you.  The activities are simple and you may say "I waited for this?!"  But it boils down to YOU.  If you approach the program with the right attitude, proper expectations and a spirit of fun...simplicity and fun is what works with children. 

Here are the Three Must Follow Rules for Success:

1. You must be willing to have fun, be silly, be enthusiastic, move with your child, get on the floor...no inhibitions allowed.  If I tell you to waddle and quack like a duck, YOU must waddle and quack like a duck.  No exceptions.  I promise your child will love it and so will you...if  you just let go and have fun.
2. Do the activities only when you have a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes of uninterrupted time with your child.  You cannot relax and provide a fun environment for your child if you are watching the clock, worrying about where you need to be or what you must get done.  Remember, children read adults like books...they will know whether or not you are sincerely devoted to this time with them.  On hectic days it is best to skip the activities and proceed with responsibilities.
3. Be safe.  Always be near your child, especially during climbing, jumping and balance activities.

The activities will be presented in lesson plan format giving you objectives of the activity, directions and props needed.  Be prepared.  Decide on two to three days per week to do the planned activities with your child...uninterrupted time.  Be sure to have all necessary props and music at hand.  Clear a safe area to play.  You should keep the same lesson plan (activities) for the entire week.  Children love repetition and repeating the same activities two to three times in one week provides reinforcement for your child to learn the movements.  The more they repeat anything, the more comfortable they become with it.  Keep in mind that two to three year old children need to be approached on more simplistic terms than four to five year old children.  Those four to five year old kids become sophisticated so quickly. *big wink*  You know your child, improvise accordingly.

The comments are open for any questions or suggestions before we "move it".

Note:  All of the program descriptions and lesson plans provided are copyright Melody Sanders.  I do not mind your printing the articles for reference or even sharing them with friends.  However, please do not otherwise republish the articles electronically or in print without prior consent.  Please do not redistribute them for commercial use (monetary gain).  Thank you.