Movement
The most important thing of all is to get children moving and, as with most things, it is going to be those who obviously need to move more who are less inclined to do so. With children who are reluctant to take part in any physical activities it is better to disguise what is going on than to force them straight into recognisable games. Look for games that appear to focus on something other than just physical activity.
New Math Marks the Spot from Learning Resources is a maths floor game that encourages children to stretch across the vinyl mat to find the answer to the sums that the large dice throw up. As the children get accustomed to the game you could use a timer to increase the activity level and/or get them to run to the mat from across the room for each turn. The mat measures 122 x 152cm and comes with two number dice and an operations die, game markers and an activity guide. Suitable for six - year-olds upwards, priced 27.95.
Telephone 0845 241 0484 www.learningresources.co.uk
The Lazy Town Chukka Challenge is the latest game from Hasbro and is based upon the popular TV series that features adults as lazy couch potatoes and children who are inspired by the athletic super hero, Sportacus, to live healthily and be active. The game is designed to motivate children to move and consists of a strangely shaped toy, rather like a large rubber jack, that has different coloured shapes on each protruding part. Players take turns to throw the toy and the shape that is uppermost when it lands corresponds to a challenge, such as 'stand on one leg for the rest of the game'. Chukka Challenge is designed to encourage children to develop agility, balance and fitness levels while, hopefully, focusing on the fun aspect. Suitable for four-year-olds upwards, priced 9.99.
Also from Hasbro, the Twister Dance DVD game is a variation on the perennial favourite. This version uses animation, music and dance to help children to learn dance sequences. Twister Dance is aimed at children aged eight and upwards and will be available from July, priced 29.99.
Telephone 0800 328 7007 www.hasbro.co.uk
Skills
Physical skills are acquired through repetition but practice needs reinforcing with constant encouragement in a relaxed atmosphere. If children have a goal to focus on, such as knocking down skittles or seeing how many times they can throw a ball into a box, they will gradually learn how to balance their body to throw accurately and improve hand/eye co-ordination. It is important to bear in mind that the development of skills such as throwing and catching varies enormously from child to child and you should try to match like with like when children play in pairs or larger groups.
Younger children will enjoy the TotSports Bowling Set. The six skittles measure 25cm in height, are transparent and contain brightly-coloured balls that jump and rattle during play. The set also includes a large ball with 'easy-insert' finger holes. TotSports is priced 13 from Little Tikes.
Telephone 0800 521 558 www.littletikes.com
Slightly older children will appreciate Wesco's Large Bowling Set. This includes 10 coloured skittles, measuring 38cm in height, with a weighted base, a game mat and a soft plastic bowling ball that will not damage floors when you play indoors. The ball has two different finger holds for large and small hands. Priced 99.10.
Telephone 0115 986 2126 www.wescouk.co.uk
Children who find throwing and catching daunting may find the activity easier with Asco's new Fluff Balls and Flat Balls. The Fluff Ball set consists of 24 brightly-coloured balls, measuring 9cm in diameter. These are designed to be easy to hold and catch and can also be used for paddle racket games because their composition makes for reduced speed in the air.
Priced 9.50. The Flat Ball Set consists of six 10cm balls, designed to enhance throwing and catching skills, priced 16.50.
Telephone 0113 2707070 www.ascoeducational.co.uk
The newest 'game' to arrive in the UK this summer is Volleybird. This is a cross between badminton and volleyball but as the 'shuttlecock' is over-sized it is easier to hit and you can hit it with your hand or any other part of your body. The aim is to keep it in the air and the Volleybird can be used with or without a net. Priced 9.99.
Telephone 020 7193 1245 www.volleybird.com
Agility and balance
As children develop their sense of balance and increase their agility they will become more confident overall, and once this happens you can gradually move on to playing games.
The Scooby-Doo Balance Ball Kit (as shown on the cover) comes with a 45-minute DVD that guides children through a series of movements that are designed to increase balancing skills and physical confidence. The ball measures 50cm in diameter and the set also includes a manual air pump.
Suitable for three-year-olds upwards, priced 22.99 from the Great Little Trading Company.
Telephone 0870 850 6000 www.gltc.co.uk
Skipping is an ideal activity for children who may not appear stereotypically sporty. Children can't usually cope with this type of movement until they are about five years old but from then on it's a good idea to introduce the activity even if it's a challenge. Teach children to skip with elbows tucked into their sides, turning the rope with their wrists. The most common problem is the rope being caught in the feet and this usually happens when children skip too slowly and/or lean forwards.
Beginners should just jump a couple of centimetres off the floor with feet together. As children progress they can try to jump with alternate feet. A good way of introducing children to group physical activity is to use a long skipping rope, either tied to a post at one end with an adult turning the rope at the other, or with two members of staff turning the rope - you can look up appropriate skipping games online.
Eduzone stocks class packs of Skipping Ropes that come in four colours, so you could also organise timed skipping as the children grow proficient. You may also want to encourage the staff to have a go! Each rope in the set is 2.2m long and a set of 20 is priced 17.95.
Telephone 08456 445 556 www.eduzone.co.uk
Technophiles in the group may warm to the idea of Skipmate - a skipping rope set that includes a pod, attached to a belt, to enable the skipper to count the number of skips as well as receive encouragement and skip along to four different songs. Skipmate is priced 17.99 and available from Mookie.
Telephone 01525 722 722 www.mookie.co.uk
New from Drummond Park and just in time for World Cup fever is Keepy Uppy.
This includes a leather football, a spring-out, two-metre skill circle, an electronic timer and score counter and an instructional CD. This is something children can enjoy alone, bettering their own score, or with friends. Suitable for eight-year-olds upwards, priced 19.99.
Telephone 01506 855577 www.drumondpark.com
