Fundamental Movement Skills News
Understanding Locomotion for Toddlers
Written by Michele Watson
15 February 2012
Locomotor Skills are the skills that involve moving from one location to another. They include crawling, rolling, walking, running, jumping, hopping, skipping, leaping, dodging, etc.
A baby will start to walk any time from 12 months (can be earlier) When a child first starts to walk their hips are turned, over about 18 months, the hips turn and straighten. Hence why toddlers are usually bow legged and look like little robots. Once the hips have turned the child is then able to bend at the knee and start to run.
Activities for toddlers need to be Fun and they need to experience Success. We thought we would share a few activities to help you make walking and running with your toddlers FUN.
Shape Walking
Using chalk draw different shapes on the ground. E.g. Square, Triangle, Circle, etc
Children walk around the outside of the shape. Incorporate different movements. E.g. backwards, sideways, short strides, long strides
Traffic Light
The children pretend to be cars and drive around a space.
On ‘Red Light’ – child stop and jog on the spot. On ‘Orange Light’ children walk around the space and on ‘Green Light’ children run around the space. Change calls frequently.
Equipment: Bean bags in the Spotlight
Written by Michele Watson
31 Janurary 2012
The Counties Manukau Sport Fundamental Movement Skill programme uses basic sports equipment, when the programme is being delivered by FMSA’s. Fundamental Movement Skill Advisors are always asked about the equipment they use to deliver the programme, so each month we thought we would highlight some of the equipment we use and what can be done with it.
Bean bags -Great for balance, catching and throwing games
FMSA’s use bean bags for individualised, paired and group activities. Bean bags can be purchased sport equipment suppliers. They are great particularly for throwing and catching activities because they are suitable for children to hold onto, they don’t bounce and are colourful.
Below are 3 of our favourite games that use bean bags:
Bean bag Balance: Each child has a bean bag. Move around with the bean bag on head, On signal ‘freeze’ children stand still. Try putting the bean bag on different body parts. E.g. elbow, shoulder, back, foot, etc
Overarm Throwing at a Target: Put a cone between 2 children and they overarm throw the bean bag to try and knock the come done.
Hopscotch: Children play the traditional game of hopscotch can use a bean bag to throw onto the square. Hopscotch games and rules can be found here: http://www.gameskidsplay.net/games/other_games/hopscotch.htm
Equipment: Balloons in the Spotlight
Written by Michele Watson
4 November 2011
The Counties Manukau Sport Fundamental Movement Skill programme uses basic sports equipment, when the programme is being delivered by FMSA’s. Fundamental Movement Skill Advisors are always asked about the equipment they use to deliver the programme, so each month we thought we would highlight some of the equipment we use and what can be done with it.
Balloons -Great for catching games, balance and jumping activities.
FMSA’s use balloons for individualised, paired and group activities. Balloons can be purchased from many different stores, including two dollar shops. They are great particularly for throwing and catching activities because they move slowly through the air in comparison to a ball.
Below are 3 of our favourite games that use balloons:
Balloon Hit: Tie balloons at different heights. Children have to jump and touch the balloons with different parts of their bodies. E.g. head, hand, elbow, etc
Balloon Balance: Each child has a balloon and copies the teacher/leaders and tries to balance the balloon on different parts of their bodies. This can also be done in pairs, where children have to put the balloon between them and walk around keeping it there. E.g. back to back, elbow to elbow, etc
Balloon Catch: A name game. Children stand in a circle. Teacher throws a balloon in the air and calls someone's name. That person must catch the balloon before it touches the ground. If the person succeeds he/she then tosses the balloon up and calls the next name.
Scarves in the Spotlight
Written by Michele Watson
20 September 2011
The Counties Manukau Sport Fundamental Movement Skill programme uses basic sports equipment, when the programme is being delivered by FMSA’s. Fundamental Movement Skill Advisors are always asked about the equipment they use to deliver the programme, so each month we thought we would highlight some of the equipment we use and what can be done with it.
Dancing Scarves - Brightly coloured scarves that are slow moving in the air, great for catching games. Each scarf is 600mm x 600mm.
FMSA’s use the dancing scares for individualised activities, where each child has a scarf each. They are great with the bright colour to reinforce colour recognition with children They are available from HART Sport (called Dancing/Juggling Scarves) and any good Sport Equipment retailer.
Below are 3 of our favourite games that use scarves:
Jellyfish: Wrap/Scrunch a beanbag within a scarf. On the teachers call, children throw the beanbag scarf up into the air and try and catch the beanbag and then the scarf. The bean bag will come down more quickly than the scarf.
Scarf Colours: Each child has a scarf, they hide it somewhere within in their clothing. When the leader/teachers says the colour they are hiding they bring it out and wave it in the air. Ask children hide the scarves under their legs. Ask them to bring it out when their colour is called.
Tailz: All children tuck a scarf into the back of their pants. The adults can be the monkeys (or a team of children), the other team chases the monkeys and tries to grab their tails. Swap so everyone has a turn at bring a monkey.
Spots in the Spotlight
Written by Michele Watson
25 July 2011
The Counties Manukau Sport Fundamental Movement Skill programme uses basic sports equipment, when the programme is being delivered by FMSA’s. Fundamental Movement Skill Advisors are always asked about the equipment they use to deliver the programme, so each month we thought we would highlight some of the equipment we use and what can be done with it.
Marker Spots - Made from a special rubber powder the markers are extremely durable and slip resistant making them perfect to use on any surface. They come in a number of colours.
FMSA’s use the spots for individualised activities, where each child is required to keep their own space, spots can be used instead of cones and hoops. For those that are safety conscience. Games such as musical chairs FMSA’s substitute chairs with spots, they are easily removable from the space and safe for children. Spots can also be used in place of softball mats. They are available from HART Sport (called Marking Disc’s) and any good Sport Equipment retailer.
Below are 2 of our favourite games that use spots:
Fruit Salad: Divide the children into 2 teams. Using spots make 2 circles, so that there are enough spots out for every child participating. Each coloured spot is named as a fruit. E.g. red = strawberries, yellow = banana, etc.
Children stand on any spot to begin the game. Teacher calls 1 of the fruit names, E.g. strawberries, children who are standing on the red spots side gallop in one direction round all the spots back to their original spot. When teacher calls fruit salad all children side gallop around the circle and choose a new spot for the next round of calls.
(Adapted from Rachael Jefferson - Buchanan (2009), Fundamental Fun, United Kingdom: STEPS Professional Development, Page 133)
Hopscotch: Using already line marked hopscotch templates or chalked hopscotch templates. Let children play hopscotch in pairs or small groups.
The first player stands behind the starting line to toss her or his marker in square 1. Hop over square 1 to square 2 and then continue hopping to square 8, turn around, and hop back again. Pause in square 2 to pick up the marker, hop in square 1, and out. Then continue by tossing the stone in square 2.
All hopping is done on one foot. A player is out if the marker fails to land in the proper square, the hopper steps on a line, the hopper looses balance when bending over to pick up the marker and puts a second hand or foot down, the hopper goes into a square where a marker is, or if a player puts two feet down in a single box.
(Sourced from Sport and Recreation New Zealand (2009). Developing Fundamental Movement Skills Manual. Wellington: SPARC, Page 93)
FMS has been named Tammy Time
Written by Tammy Potini
20 June 2011
FMS has been renamed Tammy Time.
Tuakau Kindergarten has been delighted with the opportunity to be involved with the Fundamental Movement skills programme that is delivered by Counties Manukau Sports. The programme is based around 6 different skills and professional development for teachers. This is aimed to help the children and staff to develop a better understanding of activities relating to the following skills; walking, running, jumping, throwing, balancing and climbing. These specific skills, encourages a child to become more confident and have an understanding of physical activity which will enable them to become successful at all sports later in life.
Since having the FMS programme at Tuakau Kindergarten it has been recognised that all the children are participating and are showing improvements on all 6 skills. Teachers have first hand seen the benefits of having the FMS programme. The teachers have been implementing the programme during lunch breaks and wet weather so that children are able to have more experiences and opportunities.
Teachers have displayed photos and learning stories to inform parents on what’s been happening in there kindergarten and have received a lot of positive feedback regarding the FMS programme.
Children thoroughly enjoy the activities and Tammy Time. They always approach her before stepping into the room greeting her with cuddles and smiles. The first questions are “What’s in the bag? “Can I play? This happens on every arrival so she has become our famous person especially with all the fun activities and games.
One of the students at Tuakau Kindergarten has built tremendous confidence and determination over the months of being part of the programme and is now leading the pack with activities such as “what’s the time Mr Wolf”.
