Gross Motor Play

What is gross motor play?

Gross motor play is any kind of activity that requires children to move their whole body.
Gross motor play also includes activities that involve eye-hand coordination such as throwing, catching, and kicking a ball.

Why is gross motor play a part of our curriculum?

It exercises the large core stabilizing muscles of the body that help us stand, walk, run, and sit upright. These muscles are also required for fine motor work including writing.
Children develop balance, body awareness, self-regulation, coordination, motor planning, and proprioception (sense of body in space) through gross motor play.
The practice and eventual mastery of physical skills develops resilience and self-esteem.
Children practice social skills by playing games such as tag, catch, and hide and seek.
Research has shown that playing outside strengthens connections with nature, lowers stress levels, reduces obesity risk, boosts immunity, and develops a sense of wonder.

Examples of gross motor play in our school:

Children participate in a weekly children’s yoga class with a certified children's yoga instructor.
Music and movement time is a part of the daily schedule.
Classes spend time on our two shaded outdoor playgrounds every day enjoying the sandbox, swings, climbing structure, mud kitchen, monkey bars, seesaw, or circle cycle.
During inclement weather, our indoor play space provides opportunities to climb, ride tricycles, throw, balance, build, and more.