Welcome to our “Gifts the Grow On” series. Gifts that make it on this list pass the test. It’s more about the experience! Some are worthy investments. Some cost no money but are the gift of time. Everything on this list encourages creativity, imagination, and interaction. The idea here is less is more. Play is a child’s work. Simple toys mean that children are active, not passive participants. We look for items that are made of natural materials whenever possible. Some exceptions are made as long as the item is durable. We recommend items that will last. Give a gift that keeps on giving. Let’s allow discovery, foster independence, build relationships, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Healthy is the name of this game. Not only do these goodies get kids moving, they also build balance and coordination. These kinds of movements are at the core of building a strong foundation for learning.
We think of learning as reading and writing, but there’s a lot that goes on before that builds gateways to later learning. It is so important not to skip lots of playtime that can build these motor skills. Children need to move. It helps get oxygen, water and glucose to the cells. This can make for “happy” brains and muscles.
Even more than great exercise, these kinds of movements help promote learning, yes, learning. Balance, eye-hand coordination, and problem-solving develop and prepare the brain for learning. Movement builds and strengthens neural connections. A child who has the opportunity for rigorous play is often has a learning advantage because of these connections. I’m a big advocate that play is better than doing formal school work for children under seven.
Ideally, give children the gift of the great outdoors: climbing trees; hopping over logs, rocks, and streams; and skipping rocks. One of the best gifts is time — time to have fun, to play, to breathe, and best of all, to be with you. Realistically, access to a natural environment or public park is not always available, so here are some ideas to create some indoor/outdoor opportunities to get moving.
The gifts for today are focused on bigger movements. This kind of movement helps children with coordination, spatial awareness, thinking through complex tasks, and more. You might choose to build a natural play space outdoors with rocks and wood or you can purchase items ready to go.
WINS: eye-hand coordination, gross motor skills, planning, body strength, left-right brain exercises
Quick Links:
- Indoor / Outdoor Stepping & Balance Link 1 Link 2 Link 3
- Tunnel: compact, easy to store – I like the see-through side on this one. It’s a plus for children with sensory issues or those who are simply timid about climbing through.
- Wobble Board Link 1 Link 2
- Climb & Crawl (babies)
- Climb & Crawl (toddlers)
- Obstacle Course (older kids)
- Indoor Toddler Gym
- Indoor Climbing (older kids)
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