Activities: Locomotion

Jumping in place or minimally forward

1. Have child imitate you jumping. Exaggerate your jumping motion.
2. Jump on a trampoline/cushion/bed with or without hands held
3. Sing jumping songs (5 Little Monkeys, Pop Goes the Weasel)
4. Label word with action (Jump) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUliPGg03jU
5. Move like animals (jump like a frog, kangaroo, bunny)

Jumping forward

1. Jump onto flat surfaces (squares made of tape on floor, place mats, spots)
2. Jump over a line/string/rope on the floor
3. Place two lines of tape on the floor, starting at 6 inches then increase distances to 24 inches, jumping from one to the other. Pretend these are puddles, rivers etc.
4. Jump cracks in the sidewalk/driveway
5. Jump onto circles on floor made by a flashlight
6. Jump a path of placements, spots etc. Increase distance between items. Increase distance between markers as skill progresses.

Jumping down

1. Stand in front as the child jumps down from a surface
2. Jump off of low curbs, stools, last step of the stairs with then without hands held
3. Increase height of surface you jump from
4. Jump off a surface to a cushion/pile of pillows

Jumping over

1. Place a long thin object on the floor such a jump rope to jump over
2. Help initially with hands held
3. Increase height of obstacles (string)
4. Progress from a string to a yard stick, pool noodle to jump rope tied to chairs 10 inches high, solo cups

Higher Level: side jumps, back and forth

• Bean bag side jumps See video Pink Oatmeal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fecYaSbioUQ
• Start going over higher items See video from Pink Oatmeal Cone jumps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSgBp7se8tA
• going forward and back See video Pink Oatmeal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Uqggdl1Ob0

SEE VIDEO FOR TEACHING JUMPING

Adapted PE You Tube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWk4Lw9NcZA

• Offer hand support, 2 hands then 1 hand
• Use a chair or wall for hand support on one side
• Non-weight bearing leg is bent at the knee beside the other leg
• Practice standing on one foot ( Activities: Balance page for ideas)
• Progress with switching to non-preferred leg
• Increase distance the child hops, at first this may not be a straight path
• Once they can hop increasing distances, hop paths on the ground of string or chalk
• Hop an agility ladder or place mats on the floor
• Practice hopping side to side
• Hop down a line, hoping on each side of the line, first to the left of the line then the right of the line, alternating as you go down the line
• Hop in and out of cones/solo cups
• Play hopscotch
• Hop in Circle of Colors, this will involve varied directions and increased balance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmKMiQW7piw

Tips:

• Many children try to go to fast. Be balanced as you hop. Don't hop too far forward initially
• The child should be upright, not leaned forward
• Hopping involves leg and ankle muscles.
• Modelling helps, as children will resort to a jump when they don't know the new pattern.