Gross Motor Play Outside

Summer is here! 
With the weather being so nice it is a perfect time to rediscover the fun of being outside. Playing outside is the perfect environment to work on gross motor skills (using our bigger muscles.) Engaging in big motor movements like running, jumping, crawling over obstacles, riding a bike, and throwing/catching a ball can help improve a variety of skills. Some of these improved skills include: visual motor skills, attention, and coordination by providing proprioceptive feedback. This type of neural feedback can help improve self-regulation (being able to calm down or find our homeostasis.) Developmentally, gross motor skills must grow before fine motor skills, so improvement in coordination, balance, and visual motor skills transfers over to: writing, using scissors, reading, coloring, and increasing hand strength.
Ideas to incorporate gross motor play at home:

1. Use sidewalk chalk and make a hop-scotch. This activity targets bilateral coordination (both sides of our body), visual motor, and balance.
2. Constructing an obstacle course in the backyard. This activity targets motor planning, executive functioning, and proprioception (where our body is in space.)
3. Play at the park. Playing at the park is a great way to work on motor planning, balance, bilateral coordination, and vestibular input on the swings.
4. Plant a garden. This is a great activity to work on sensory integration by touching different textures, using a tool, and weight bearing by lifting dirt.
5. Riding a bike or going for a walk. These are great activities that promote visual motor skills, balance, endurance, and bilateral coordination.  

We hope these activities provide hours of fun in the summer sun!