Moving, Growing & Learning: The Importance of Indoor Gross Motor Play

 We know that little bodies were made to MOVE! Whether the weather keeps us inside or we simply want to add more movement to our day, indoor gross motor play is a fun and important part of learning through play.

Our classrooms can quickly transform into exciting spaces filled with movement and adventure! Children might crawl through a tunnel, climb and balance on a climber, work together during parachute play, or show off their best moves at a classroom dance party.

Of course, you can never go wrong with bubbles! Watching bubbles float through the air encourages children to run, reach, stretch, jump, and pop all while laughing and having fun with their friends.

 

These activities may look like simple play, but there is so much learning happening along the way. Gross motor experiences help children develop balance, coordination, strength, body awareness, and confidence. They also provide opportunities to practice listening, following directions, taking turns, and playing cooperatively with others.

 

One of our favorite things about indoor movement is that there are endless possibilities! We can create obstacle courses, march around the classroom, practice animal walks, play movement games, stretch, dance, toss soft balls, and find new ways to keep our bodies active.

For young children, movement and learning go hand in hand. Giving children opportunities to move throughout their day helps them explore what their bodies can do while building skills they will continue to use as they grow.

 We believe some of the BEST learning happens when children are moving, laughing, exploring, and having fun!

 So, turn up the music, grab the parachute, blow some bubbles, and let’s get moving!