Playground and Balance

Most kids are uncoordinated at this age. One fun way to work on balance is to walk and climb on things that aren't stable. Here are some photos from a local playground with great opportunities to work on these specific skills.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

First she built the "balance beam" and then she used it to do somersaults.

Painting

Lap Harps

I've done so many posts on music that you should already know how wonderful it is for everyone (not just kids). This time I decided to pull out something a little different. They play on the piano regularly and we sing almost constantly. However, I had not let them use the lap harps yet. (I admit it. I had put them away and forgotten we even had them.)

They loved seeing the vibrations and experimenting with the different sounds. I taught them how if they placed a hand on the strings the movement and sound would stop. 

Once they knew how to use a pick and make the music stop when needed, I put in the "music." All they have to do is pluck the line that is marked and it plays songs they recognize. Suddenly this was the best toy ever! A year later and they still play with these so often I haven't rotated them back out of the playroom.