Teaching Themes
Physical Activities: Everything You Need
On Your Mark, Get Set, Click on ways to get students moving inside and outside of the classroom!
Articles
Winning Ideas for Bad Weather Recess
Grades: PreK–K, 1–2, 3–5, 6–8
Five top winning ideas for what to do for students when the weather is so bad that recess has to be indoors.
Articles
Teaching With Technology: Get Up and Move!
Grades: PreK–K
Buckleitner presents several physical activities for young children using digital gadgets. These include no-fail musical chairs, shadow charades, watch me grow--with a digital camera, and electronic mirror art. For more information, see the related Reviews: Software & Gadgets, linked to the main article page.
Recess Ideas and More!
Grades: PreK–K, 1–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12
Check out these great books inside recess ideas and activities at The Teacher Store.
Physical Development: Swing, Slide, & Climb!Grades: PreK–K Strickland offers the benefits of outdoor play areas for children. Free play on a climber in a well-designed play area naturally inspires children... |
Keeping Fit in Body and MindGrades: PreK–K Rivkin discusses strategies for promoting body/mind fitness for children through healthy lifestyle. In reducing stress, try to incorporate yoga,... |
Activity Plan 2-3: Obstacle-Course OlympicsGrades: PreK–K Encourage physical development by setting up an age-appropriate challenge course where children use large-motor skills in this ready-to-use... |
Book Resources, Lesson Plans All Activities Issue - Boxes & Blocks: Tunnel VisionGrades: PreK–K, 1–2 Church offers ready-to-use summer teaching ideas for mixed ages in this "All Activities" issue of Scholastic Early Childhood Today. In this... |
Fun With Balls and HoopsGrades: PreK–K By rolling and bouncing a ball, children strengthen motor control. Here are some fun activities to encourage physical development skills. |
Physical Development: Agility and BalanceGrades: PreK–K Strickland offers advice on helping children gain mastery in the areas of agility and balance. He argues that the more opportunities children have... |
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Articles Physical DevelopmentGrades: PreK–K Physical development, also called gross-- and fine-motor development, proceeds from head to foot, near to far, and simple to complex. When you... |
Physical Development: Making Time for Physical PlayGrades: Early Childhood, Infant, PreK–K Inventive ways to make room in your daily routine for the physical play children need are presented. |
Physical Development: Physical Play for an Indoor DayGrades: PreK–K Turn "stir crazy" into a stirring good time with these fun activities and Physical Play for an Indoor Day, by Eic Strickland. |
Physical Development: Strength and CoordinationGrades: PreK–K Strength and coordination are two areas of physical development that are often overlooked when planning early childhood curriculum. If physical... |
Physical Development: Which Way Is Up?Grades: PreK–K Eric Strickland, Ph.D., discusses the importance of laterality and directionality in children's development. |
Physical Development: We're Full of BeansGrades: Early Childhood, Infant, PreK–K, 1–2 Enhancing physical play with bean bags, in these activities by Eric Strickland. |
Physical Development: Just Along for the RideGrades: PreK–K Young children develop a variety of skills and derive many health benefits from riding toys. |
Physical Development: Move to the MusicGrades: PreK–K The sounds of instruments give rise to spontaneous movement and dance. Adults can help guide children as they achieve a delicate balance between... |
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Articles Physical Development: Developing Physical Skills Through Scarves, Chutes, & HoopsGrades: Early Childhood, Infant, PreK–K, 1–2 Exciting yet simple equipment helps children build motor skills and adds a large dose of joy. Tips on using scarves, hoops, and parachutes with... |
Physical Development: Developing Positional Relationships by Moving Over & UnderGrades: PreK–K Using boxes and blocks, children explore positional relationships and develop physical skills. |
Physical Development: Developing Motor Skills Through Dramatic PlayGrades: PreK–K Dramatic play offers rich opportunities for developing motor skills in children. Strickland offers advice on various types of plays the should be... |
Physical Development: Time to Get Physical!Grades: PreK–K Strickland details the benefits of physical play on child development. He suggests that teachers should make room in their daily routine for... |
Physical Development: Growing Stronger With Purposeful PlayGrades: PreK–K Strickland suggests tips for parents in providing a purposeful play for their children. He cites that parents should check their preschool... |
Physical Development: Developing Motor Skills - Dramatically!Grades: PreK–K Strickland layers out ways on how to take advantage of one's dramatic-play center as a place to build coordination, balance, and motor control.... |









