Daily opportunities for gross motor development are important for young children. These activities strengthen the large muscles of the body—the arms, legs, and torso—and provide a break from quieter learning activities. The Bright Beginnings physical education curriculum offers daily activities that incorporate ball skills, body movement, gymnastics, aerobics, and games. The Physical Education appendix is divided into two sections—Indoor Activities and Outdoor Activities. If the weather is favorable choose a lesson from the Outdoor section. Outdoor play is fun, and it allows children to breathe in fresh air, take in sunshine, and enjoy God’s creation. Activities from the Indoor section are available for days of inclement weather. Although the lessons are numbered, this is for reference only. Activities can be done in any order and then "checked off" (in the check box) when completed. The general supplies needed for this curriculum are listed at the bottom of this page. Supplies with a "(1)" after them indicate that they are only needed for one lesson. Remember, you do not have to do each activity as written—feel free to be creative and add your own ideas! Most of the activities can be either geared up or geared down depending on the child’s skill level and/or interest. You can also skip some activities or do others more than once if you wish.

1. If your child has any medical or physical condition that might be affected by these activities, get a physician’s approval before starting the program.

2. If your child gets overly tired, winded, or experiences pain, stop the activity immediately.

3. NEVER play any of these activities in the street! If you don’t have a driveway or sidewalk, go to a nearby park or playground.

4. Supervise your child at all times.

*Various balls (tennis, soccer, baseball, basketball, golf, nerf ball, rubber, play ball, etc.)
*Beanbag
*Cardboard
*Sidewalk chalk
*Balloon (1)
*Small football (1)
*Baseball glove (1)
*Beach ball (1)
*Tricycle/bicycle (1)
*Bubble soap (1)
*Sand and sand toys (1)
*Small rake (1)
*Small snow shovel (1)
*Jump rope (1)
*Various household supplies

1. Ball throwing—various balls
SUPPLIES: various balls—tennis, soccer, baseball, basketball, football, golf, rubber, and so on
ACTIVITY:
1. Examine each ball.
2. Discuss how they are used (e.g., thrown, kicked, and hit with a bat)
3. Ask "how are they different?", "which ball do you like best?", and "why?"

2. Ball throwing—easy and hard
SUPPLIES: small, soft indoor ball (i.e., nerf)
ACTIVITY:
1. Practice throwing the ball easy/slowly.
2. Practice throwing the ball hard/fast.

3. Ball throwing—underhand and overhand
SUPPLIES: small, soft indoor ball
ACTIVITY:
1. Practice throwing the ball underhand.
2. Practice throwing the ball overhand.

4. Ball throwing—at target
SUPPLIES: small, soft indoor ball; cardboard; marker
ACTIVITY:
1. Draw a simple target on a piece of cardboard.
2. Tape on an empty wall or door about four feet off the ground.
3. Practice throwing the ball and hitting the target from various distances away.

5. Ball throwing—to knock down an object
SUPPLIES: small, soft indoor ball; object such as unopened roll of paper towels, empty plastic two-liter bottle, or block tower
ACTIVITY:
1. Stand up the object in the center of a room
2. Practice throwing the ball to try to knock down the object from various distances away.

6. Ball throwing—into an object
SUPPLIES: small, soft indoor ball; object such as wastebasket, bucket, cardboard box, or brown grocery bag
ACTIVITY:
1. Place the object in the center of the room.
2. Practice throwing the ball into the object from various distances away.

7. Ball throwing—between legs
SUPPLIES: small, soft indoor ball
ACTIVITY: 1. Practice "hiking" the ball (between legs) as a football quarterback does.

8. Ball catching—various balls
SUPPLIES: various balls—tennis, soccer, baseball, basketball, football, golf, nerf ball, rubber, and so on
ACTIVITY:
1. Try catching the different types of balls.
2. Ask "which is easiest to catch?", "which is hardest?", and "why?"

9. Ball catching—2 hands
SUPPLIES: small, soft indoor ball
ACTIVITY:
1. Practice catching the ball with two hands.