Parenting Toddlers

If your toddler is beginning to walk, she is already working on her gross motor skills or large muscle movement. She may even be climbing and will soon add jumping and dancing to her repertoire. Before you know it, your toddler will be running through the house. Large motor skills are important for balance, endurance, strengthening muscles and bones, and helping your toddler be active and healthy.

There are many easy and low/no-cost ways to encourage your toddler’s gross motor skills.

One way to foster large muscle movement is to create an obstacle course in your living room. Bring the cushions off the couch, chairs from the dining room and the pillows from your beds. If you have them, set up some cardboard boxes, too. Create a safe course for climbing over, under, around, through, etc.

Playing at the park or playground is another great way to develop your toddler’s gross motor skills. The stairs, slides, tubes, swings and bridges are inviting thus encouraging your toddler to try new things, build on old skills and conquer new heights. An extra bonus is that all the activity burns energy and hopefully will help him sleep soundly at nap time.

Put on some favorite music and dance to the beat. Stomp, clap, march, wiggle and boogie around the room. Mix it up with some free movement and encouraging your toddler to copy you with rhythmic clapping and marching. Classical and march music offer a variety tempos for a variety of movements.

Crawl around on the floor together. My toddlers’ favorite was to pretend to be animals. You will work on two skills at once: gross motor and imaginative play!

Ditch the stroller and go for a walk around the neighborhood. If the park is close enough, walk to and from the park. Or take the stroller but encourage your toddler to walk as far as he is able. Perhaps put a favorite toy in the stroller and have him push the stroller.

Painting or coloring in the standing position not only helps to develop fine motor skills, but it also works on the larger muscle movements in your toddler’s arms, torso and legs.

Play with balls of varying sizes. Push it back and forth while sitting, kick it back and forth, throw to each other or onto a safe surface that will bounce the ball back to your toddler.

What gross motor activities do (or did) you enjoy with your toddler?

© Copyright 2007 Rebecca Wilson.  All Rights Reserved.
Used with permission.

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