Everyone is different!
When planning for physical activities for children there are a few things you have to think about when setting up that are listed here.
1. Set up different activities for different sized groups
Some to encourage collaboration (children working together), some to encourage children to work in pairs next to each other (parallel play) and some where children can play by themselves.
eg: The Outdoor Area on one day might look like this:
Sandpit - children can play together or next to each other or alone
Cubby - with some books or drawing materials inside - provides a quiet area for children to play alone
Big Blocks - children can work together to build something
Water Play - children can work next to each other
2. Encourage choice
The way you set up the environment can help children make their own choices on what to play with. For example next to the sandpit you could have a big box that has different equipment in it that the children can freely go to and choose between pots and pans to play cooking or spades to build castles. Loose Parts are always a good idea even outside. If you put cones out, children could set up their own game.
3. Plan for Individual Children
Not all children are as physically active as others, so you need a good mix of activities for different levels. Digging or washing dolls is just as physical as climbing and jumping. Talk to the children to find out what they like doing at home or at the park and set up activities that they might like.
4. Taking Responsibility for their Own Health
It is important to talk to the children about physical activity and how moving is good for them. Moving helps our muscles to grow and our brains to grow. This way the children will learn to chose more active experiences on their own.
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