Have you ever watched children engage in “rough and tumble” play? This is big body play! Though supervision is important, big body play is full of benefits for young children.
What is Big Body Play?
Big body play is any movement that incorporates the large muscle groups in the body. This includes climbing, jumping, running, chasing, throwing, and similar activities.
How Big Body Play Benefits Children
Big body play helps children learn about their bodies, and understand how fast they can go and how strong they are. They will learn to control their movements to avoid hurting themselves or others. These experiences help children understand appropriate force in daily situations (i.e. giving a hug or holding a kitten).
Social development grows as children learn to take turns, cooperate, and compromise. For example, even though a child may be stronger than his peers, he should still take a turn being “captured” in order for play to be enjoyed by all. This helps children think about the perspective and experience of others.
Assertiveness is another skill that is supported by big body play. Children may need to set limits with peers if the play has become too loud or gone on too long, which can help them build confidence. As loud as big play can be, it can actually support focus and calm later in the day, strengthening attention and concentration.
Big Body Play at Kinderberry Hill
At Kinderberry Hill, children regularly enjoy big body play in our playrooms and on the playground. These spaces are full of toys to push, pull, ride, scoot, throw, and climb.
Our year-round outdoor classrooms are also designed with big body play in mind. They offer tons of physical opportunities for children to use milk crates, sleds, wagons, milk crates, wheelbarrows, shovels, logs, and tubes to create and build.
We love seeing big body play at Kinderberry Hill! We know how much children are learning about themselves and others through physical movement. Our teachers will keep children moving, with flushed cheeks, sparks in the cheeks, and loud laughter of friends.
About Kinderberry Hill
Kinderberry Hill Child Development Center is a Reggio Emilia-inspired early learning program offering care and education for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-kindergarten children. We offer child-led curriculum, year-round outdoor classrooms, and more, ensuring that your child will have the very best start.
All Kinderberry Hill childcare centers are now enrolling in all age groups, with full- and part-time scheduling available. Schedule a tour today!
