Gross motor skills are the abilities required in order to control the large muscles of the body, according to the Gale Encyclopedia of Children’s Health [Gale, 2005].
Some important physical gross motor concepts and skills that preschool age children should learn to master are balance, spatial orientation (which means that the child is aware of the position of his or her body in space as well as in relation to other people and objects), laterality (which means that the child is aware of the left and right sides of the body), and the coordination of major muscles.
Preschool teachers and daycare providers can encourage gross motor skill development through effective lesson plans and play. Children learn gross motor skills through practice and by participating in play which involves hopping, jumping, and climbing. In addition, games which involve catching and kicking objects are great examples of activities that promote the development of gross motor skills.
An obstacle course is a gross motor activity which allows children to practice rebound activities and develop familiarity with spatial orientation. This lesson plan includes not only the preparation instructions, procedure, and materials list for this activity, but also the age appropriate learning objectives and a sample of the simple supporting verbal cues necessary to encourage participation and support learning.
Obstacle Course Materials List
- Two small tables
- Two hula hoops
- One large crawling tube
- One small round trampoline
Obstacle Course Preparation
Arrange the materials either indoors or outdoors to create a simple obstacle course. Set up a small round trampoline, two tables, two hula hoops and crawling tube in any order.
Activity Procedures
Invite the children over to the area. Explain to them that they are going to participate in an obstacle course. Model the obstacle course for the children by completing the obstacle course. Go under the tables, jump in each hula hoop with both feet, and bounce on the trampoline. Let the children take turns going through the course.
Gross Motor Learning Objectives
Objective 1: To enhance rebound and airborne activities through jumping inside the hula hoop.
- Verbal Cue A: Can you jump inside the trampoline?
- Verbal Cue B: Let’s jump in the hula hoop with one foot.
Objective 2: To develop spatial relationships (body and space perception) using the prepositions inside and outside, forward and backward, under and over, and straight ahead in verbal cues
- Verbal Cue A: Crawl forward, straight ahead through the tube.
- Verbal Cue B: Can you crawl under each table?
Objective 3: To enhance rebound and airborne activities through jumping on the trampoline
- Verbal Cue A: Let’s jump on the trampoline.
- Verbal Cue B: Can you jump with on the trampoline with one foot?
With this simple and fun activity, preschoolers will enhance their gross motor skills by jumping and crowing as well as develop spatial relationships. Please keep in mind that this is not a competitive activity, so do not keep score or enforce rules that promote competition. For more preschool activities, see Online Preschool Lesson Plans.
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