Overview

While it may seem like a small task, jumping with two feet is a skill that Kindergarteners use all of the time as they jump down from playground equipment, off the last stair onto the ground, or in their favourite games! If a child feels confident in jumping off of these surfaces alone, they’ll likely be more independent on the yard during recess and during gym class!

Try it at home

Some of our favourite games to help boost a child’s confidence in this area:

• Hopscotch: Use some sidewalk chalk or tape and build your own course at home!

• Jump over puddles!

• Have a family dance party! Try out all different types of movements like slow, fast, and silly.

• Use your imaginations and play make-believe. Try hopping like bunnies, bouncing like frogs, or leaping like rabbits.

• Set up your own obstacle course with different movement patterns. Encourage your child to hop across the hallway to get to their next obstacle, jump down off the last stair over a “pool of lava”, or jump as high as they can to catch a “shooting star”.