One of the gross motor activities in the ABCJesusLovesMe curriculum is the "Memory Obstacle Course," a fun twist we picked up from Occupational Therapy. Our children loved it so much that they often requested it when they were young, not realizing they were exercising and learning at the same time! A bonus is that it can be done indoors on a rainy day and works well for multiple children.
1. Set up an obstacle course. Make sure that the course begins and ends at the same spot. Examples are listed below of what to include in the course, but the sky is the limit.
2. Add the "Memory" twist to the obstacle course using flashcards, magnetic letters, or puzzles. Place the activity in the middle or the end of the course with a collection item at the beginning of the course. (e.g. Place the puzzle pieces in the middle of the course with the wooden puzzle base at the beginning.)
3. Explain the course to the child and be very specific. Boundaries will be tested during this activity so be prepared to set firm limits. If you want the child to jump a bunny hop, make sure they understand this and that a gallop is not correct. Have the child start over when activities are not done correctly.
4. Explain to the child that you are going to tell them a memory object to get in the middle or at the end of the course. Tell them that you will not remind them of the object, so they need to remember it all on their own. Have the child repeat the memory object before beginning the course.
5. As the child's memory improves, have the child remember more items (two puzzle pieces or a color and shape), and add music in the background. For fun, add a timer to see how fast the child can go through the course.
Visual perception is the foundation for academic success, helping the child's brain and eyes properly communicate. With over 100 pages of fun, engaging activities, our Visual Perception Curriculum offers everything you need to develop these critical skills preparing the child for reading and writing.
Adult: For this obstacle course, you are going to hop over the pool noodles keeping both feet together. Then carefully dribble the soccer ball around the bucket. The tightrope on the orange line placing your feet together. You will step four times. How many times? (Four) Here are the flashcards that you will need to bring back to the start. You will need to remember which one to bring back. I will not help you, so really pay attention! Then you can place the flashcards in the bucket and sit criss-cross applesauce until I give you the next item. Do you have any questions?
Adult: I want you to bring back a letter that says /s?. What are you going to bring back?
Child: A letter that says /s/.
Adult: (After the child performs the course correctly and picks up an object) What letter did you pick up?
Child: S.
Adult: Great memory. Good job.
Child: (Finished the obstacle course and put the S flashcard in the basket.)
Adult: Great job. Okay, this time, I want you to pick up the letter that says /b/....
Adult: For this obstacle course, you are going to crawl on your belly under the "Trick-a-ma-stick." Be very careful that you don't hit the top or sides. Then you will crawl over the beanbags. Work hard not to fall down and do not dive into them. Then jump on the mini trampoline five times. How many times? (Five) Here are the puzzle pieces that you will need to bring back to the start. You will need to remember which one to bring back. I will not help you, so really pay attention! Then you can place the puzzle piece in the puzzle and sit criss-cross applesauce until I give you the next item. Do you have any questions?
Adult: I want you to bring back a circle puzzle piece. What are you going to bring back?
Child: Circle.
Adult: (After the child performs the course correctly and picks up an object) What shape did you pick up?
Child: Circle.
Adult: Great memory. Good job.dfsgagasdf
Child: (Finished the obstacle course and put the circle puzzle piece in the puzzle.)
Adult: Great job. Okay, this time, I want you to pick up the triangle puzzle piece....
Introduce the alphabet in an simple way with our Letter Posters featuring each letter with fun formation poems and recognizable phonic images. Perfect for classrooms or home, these posters make learning letters interactive and fun!
