Physical Movements are composed of an array of activities promoting physical exercise for the gross and fine motor development. They include physical excise lessons divided in four sessions with the guidance of a teacher, sports, and games. The excise lesson component will be Aerobic exercise, Muscle strengthening, Bone-Strengthening and Stretches. According to a Web MD article “Each one helps your body in different ways” “For example, running works your heart and lungs, your muscles, and makes your bones strong.” http://fit.webmd.com/kids/move/article/exercisetypes

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Followed are some of the activities your child will be participating (15 months and older.)

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Aerobic Exercise Jumping, skipping, tippy-toeing, fast walking, hiking, jogging, running, dancing to music, rolling balls in a group, rolling a ball and taking turns, throwing balls, catching a ball, throwing handkerchiefs or scarves, learning to catch and throw soft balls, climbing softer equipment or outdoor play structures, ring toss, playing tag, jumping rope, race count, Basketball, Soccer, T-ball, tri-cycling. These types of activities according to the WebMD article “Gets your heart pumping and your lungs working harder. It also may make you sweat. Plus, it helps your mind and mood. How? It tells your body to make more “feel-good” chemicals.”

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Muscle Strengthening Climbing equipment softer equipment, a rope, rocks, or trees, play structures, climbing outdoor equipment, running, push-ups, pull-ups, balancing beam, bean bag games, basic capoeira, or basic gymnastics. “Makes you strong and gives you more power. But you don't need dumbbells. Even climbing on the jungle gym works.” This unit will make use of the physical outdoor activity cards, which will show images of children crawling, hopping, or pretending to be a specific animal such as an alligator or a bunny.

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Bone Strengthening Jumping rope, sack jumping, hopping, or skipping, running, basketball, soccer, baseball, football, cricket, hiking, play structures and swings. “Exercise helps your bones grow and makes them less likely to break.”

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Stretches Yoga, Dance and basic Capoeira & Gymnastics “Make your muscles more flexible. They can help you can reach and bend and turn better, which can help you avoid getting hurt. You can do stretching exercises like toe touches or side stretches.”

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Games Hide and Seek, Kick the Can, Capture the Flag, Parachute Play, Four Square, Hop Scotch, Red light and Green Light, Mother -May I , Simon Says, Tag, Shadow Tag, Freeze Tag, Red Rover, Heads Up Seven Up, Ball Ball Who’s Got the Ball, Hand Clap Games, Musical Chairs, Telephone, Freeze Dance, Blind Folded guessing games, https://www.wired.com/2012/05/30-classic-games-for-simple-outdoor-play-wayback/

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Table Games and Activities – lacing cards, mystery box, sequencing cards, bingo, color-letter-image or number recognition cards, matching games, puzzles, linking toys and blocks.

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Music and Movement Activities

Yoga, Dance, basic Capoeira and Gymnastics will accompany music playing while performing any of the already mentioned activities.

 

Yoga We will be using the Barefoot Books Yoga Pretzel illustration cards to learn about the different poses such as the rock, the warrior, and a combination of many animal postures.

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Dance Children will be learning basic, moderate to advanced step coordination, dancing to the tunes of many Latin American music, country, rhythm & blues, rock, rock and roll, ballet, ballroom, Jazz and African country's music.

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Capoeira Children will be learning basic poses for the martial art movement component such as Ginga, Cadeira, Au, Balanco, Bananeira, Macaco, Negativa, Role, Troca de Pe, Ponte, and Queda de Rins. All movements will be exercised at appropriate age level.

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Gymnastics This unit will mainly focus on cartwheels, Head stands, and tumble and play activities, balancing and concentration. It will also be joint with Capoeira during certain activities, such as the Au.

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Teachers are being trained on strategies for extending the activities among the younger age groups and maintaining an age appropriate level for the older groups.