ABSTRACT

Gross motor experiences promote children’s physical, mental, and social development. Providing an environment that supports the needs of children is the goal of this grant. Early childhood educators know that when children engage in gross motor play, they can develop an understanding of spatial awareness, relieve their stress and frustration, promote brain development, exert energy, and boost their ability to take risks. Gross motor play is required daily for children based on state licensing guidelines and most of these experiences occur outdoors. However, outside play is not always possible due to weather conditions. By analyzing daily weather data, the author of this grant found that during the 2020-2021 school year, there would have been approximately 52 weekdays with temperatures reaching 32 degrees Fahrenheit, approximately 20 degrees with wind-chill. These temperatures align with Michigan’s childcare licensing guidelines indicating that children must stay indoors due to inclement weather conditions. Grant funds would be used to obtain an indoor gross motor room for a childcare center. This room would help children develop their gross motor skills when utilizing equipment such as a plastic climber, mats, play tunnels, balls, parachutes, and child-safe trampolines. Teachers observed that when gross motor equipment was available indoors children engaged in purposeful and active play for longer periods of time. The funds from this grant will purchase the additional resources to enhance the gross motor learning experiences for children while they are playing inside.