4 Simple Whole Body Movement Ideas For 20 Month Old Toddler's
The more gross motor play and skills of walking, running, dancing and jumping your child does the better they will become and the more they will want to use these physical abilities more regular.
1. Using Large Leg Building Toys
Provide enough opportunities for your child to use their leg muscles both inside and outside each day. This requires having a variety of big-wheel pushing cars, riding toys, balancing equipment, and climbing equipment available to them. They also need enough space to run, move in different directions, use all their muscles, build stability, and move at varying speeds.
1 ‘‘Toddlers have to move to practice all the new physical skills they are learning. They are excited about their ability to run, hop, and climb. By doing these activities, they gain skills and coordination ( Ontal, para. Communication, p. 5).
19-22-month-old gross motor ideas
Walking and taking big steps.
Jumping up and down.
Racing and running at different speeds.
Stepping on and off wooden balance planks.
Climbing the stairs while holding onto the railing.
Sitting and driving big cars.
Climbing up slides.
Pushing and pulling shopping carts.
Doing mini obstacle courses.
Dancing to action songs.
2. Splashing And Playing In Water
Playing in water is a lot of fun for most toddlers; if possible, fill a small pool or a large bin, or use a sprinkler and let your child play in it.
Open-ended toys to add to the water
Add balls.
Add buckets, watering cans, and fishing nets of different sizes.
Add small water toys, fish, boats, and other sea animals.
3. Running While Popping Bubbles
Blow bubbles and encourage your child to run, chase, catch, and step on them. This activity needs a bottle of bubbles and a large outside space. Praise your child’s efforts, add music, and introduce new words. ‘‘Blow, bubbles, catch, chase, stomp, and pop’’.
4. Dancing While Doing Movements
Songs with actions, dances, gestures, and instructions can help your child be physical while building new language, sounds, and other skills. Objects such as streamers, scarves, costumes, and instruments can be added for more fun.
Some fun song ideas
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes.
Shake Your Sillies Out.
Baby Shark
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
Run Baby Run.
If You Are Happy And You Know It.
Two Little Feet Go Tap.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear.
Adapted from The Development in Toddlers, Para. Communication. Ontal.