Summer Olympics For Preschoolers

Today we’re honoured to have the author of Days With Grey guest-posting on Castle View Academy.  Using the Summer Olympics as a spring-board to physical activity with preschoolers makes it meaningful and fun.   

As we await the Olympic Games this summer, we can begin to introduce the different sporting events to our preschooler.

All sporting events allow your preschooler to expand upon their gross motor skills. Gross motor skills are bigger locomotor movements such as rolling, kicking, hitting, and walking. Preschool ages 3-5 should also begin to focus on balance, climbing, pedaling, steering, throwing and catching. Preparing for the Summer Games is a fun way to introduce and practice these skills!

These activities will also allow your preschooler to use their imagination and explore creativity.

Athletics

Running

Gear up for ATHLETICS (running, jumping and throwing) by creating a track in your driveway!

Draw a large oval with chalk for your preschooler to run around. This oval will symbolize the track the athletes use.  This track will also help your preschooler practice staying within the lines and running. Include a starting and stopping point.

Throwing

Begin by creating a starting point for your preschooler to throw the ball. Allow your preschooler to begin exploring with a tape measure and looking at the numbers to explore the distance.

Remember, it is not age appropriate to understand how to use a tape measure. This activity is to INTRODUCE the tool.

You can also begin marking each throw and discussing which ball went the furthest.

Begin to make comparisons with or without measurement tools.

Some key vocabulary:

• furthest
• closest
• in between
• near
• far
• distance

Artistic Gymnastics

Parallel Bars

You can make parallel bars with your preschooler at home. This will help your preschooler practice balance and coordination. Allow them to explore the bars both on their own, along with you demonstrating how to hold body weight.

These parallel bars are made from PVC piping. You can buy PVC at the hardware store and connect the pieces with PVC glue.

Archery

In archery, it is important to aim and hit the target.

Practice aiming for a target by gathering multiple size balls and rolling them into the target. In this case, we used balls and a basket. Preschoolers will experiment with uneven surfaces as they roll the balls into the basket, which will help practice with gravity and weight distribution.

 

It is an honor to be featured on Castle View Academy. Please visit Days With Grey for more preschool and toddler activities.  You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.