Requirements

• Large indoor or outdoor space free of obstacles

Instructions

1. Talk with your preschool child about horses. How do horses move?
2. Tell your child that you will practice galloping like a horse.
3. Show your child how to gallop.
4. One foot steps forward, and the trailing foot immediately “kicks” forward to almost touch the back of the front foot.
5. Ask your child to gallop with you around the house or playground.Tip: Make horse “whinny” noises as you gallop.

   Tip: If you have paper ribbon or streamers, take turns using them as horse reins – you can “pull” your child as you gallop, and your child can “pull” you as you gallop.

   Tip: Galloping comes before Skipping.

Variations

• Play “Follow the Leader” as horses – this makes galloping into a game

Benefits

This activity develops dynamic balance, coordination, and rhythm required for activities at older ages such as running, skipping, hopping, and dancing.