Requirements

• Soft, dry outdoor lawn area or large carpeted floor free of obstacles

Instructions

1. Have your child lie on their stomach in pushup position.
2. Lift your child by holding their thighs.
3. Get your child to “walk” using their hands.

   TIP: Do not hold your child by the feet. Your child’s back will arch too much.

Variations

• If there are several children and adults present, have a wheelbarrow race over a short distance.

Benefits

This activity develops coordination, balance, and strength as kids imitate the movement of a wheelbarrow.

Requirements

• A beanbag, soft foam ball, or sock ball (made by stuffing two socks into one another)

Instructions

1. Show your child the underhand catching stance: hands at waist height in front of stomach, palms facing upward, and pinky fingers almost touching.
2. Stand 2-3 metres from your child and gently toss the ball into his or her hands.
3. If your child has difficulty catching the ball, move closer (as little as 30 cm for small children).
4. As your child begins to catch the ball consistently, move farther away. See how far away your child can catch the ball.
5. Keep your ball tosses at waist height.

Variations

At distances of 5-10 metres, toss the ball slightly to each side – child should move their feet to get behind the ball

Benefits

This activity develops hand-eye coordination, fine motor control, and the ability to track moving objects in the air. These skills transfer to sports and activities that involve flying objects (e.g., balls, shuttlecocks, frisbees, ribbons, sticks, batons).

Requirements

• Open space
• Stereo equipment
• Music: “The Twist,” “Twist and Shout,” “Let’s Twist Again,” “Peppermint Twist”

Instructions

1. Show your child how to move with a twist (raised bent arms rotate with torso one direction, bent legs rotate with hips in other direction).
2. Play music and start twisting with your child.
3. Call out “shout!” every 15-20 seconds. Each time, your child must jump straight up.
4. After landing, your child must resume twisting.
5. Try to twist low to the floor from time to time.

Variations

• For a challenge, try to twist on one foot

Benefits

This activity develops coordination and balance as kids shift their weight from one foot to the other while twisting their body through a dynamic range of motion.

Requirements

• Staircase (indoor or outdoor)
• Preferably non-slip stairs

Instructions

1. After your toddler has been walking for 5-6 months, practice walking up and down stairs together.
2. Hold your toddler’s hands, and help them to walk up and down small sets of stairs (4-8 treads).
3. Never let go of your toddler’s hands. Be prepared to support them at any moment.

Variations

• When your toddler arrives at the “top” stair, encourage them to turn on their own. Continue to hold their hands.

Benefits

This activity develops dynamic balance in preparation for all walking and running activities at older ages.