The Little Movers program is tailored to 3- to 5-year-olds and particularly for children who do not currently attend Kindergarten or Preschool. 

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The objective of our program is to engage preschoolers in a variety of fun, developmentally appropriate movement activities that promote physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. Our Little Movers program for preschoolers supports their holistic development—physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally. It enhances motor skills, stimulates brain development, encourages creativity, and builds self-confidence, all while fostering a love for movement that can contribute to a healthier, more active lifestyle throughout their lives. Our program focuses on engaging young children in activities that promote active play, coordination, and body awareness, laying a strong foundation for healthy growth.

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We are offering an 8-week program of 2 x 45-minute sessions per week to be held at the Briagolong Mechanics’ Institute, 9/11 Avon St, Briagolong VIC 3860.

 

We encourage parent/guardian participation to foster parental play.

Class size is capped at 12 participants due to the available space.

 

Our first program is scheduled to begin on Wednesday 5th February 2025.

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Key Benefits of our Little Movers Program:

1. Physical Development
•    Improved Motor Skills: This program helps preschoolers develop both gross motor skills (running, jumping, balancing) and fine motor skills (grasping, throwing, drawing), which are essential for physical coordination.
•    Enhanced Strength and Flexibility: Activities such as stretching, hopping, or climbing strengthen muscles and improve flexibility, which are critical for physical health and preventing injuries as they grow.
•    Better Balance and Coordination: Movement activities teach children how to control their bodies, which improves balance and coordination. This is important for tasks like walking, playing sports, and performing everyday activities.
•    Support for Healthy Weight: Regular physical activity in a structured movement program helps prevent childhood obesity and promotes a healthy lifestyle from a young age.

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2. Cognitive Development
•    Enhanced Brain Development: Physical activity stimulates brain function, improving cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities. Movement and learning are closely linked during early childhood, helping children understand spatial awareness and cause-and-effect relationships.
•    Language Development: Movement activities often involve following instructions and learning new words (e.g., “jump,” “crawl,” “spin”), which can expand a child’s vocabulary and language skills.
•    Better Focus and Attention: Engaging in movement activities can help preschoolers improve their ability to focus and follow directions, skills that are essential for success in a classroom environment.

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3. Social and Emotional Development
•    Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem: Successfully completing movement tasks, such as jumping through hoops or balancing on one foot, fosters a sense of accomplishment and builds self-confidence in young children.
•    Promotes Social Skills: Participating in group movement activities encourages preschoolers to cooperate, take turns, share, and interact positively with others, which are key components of social development.
•    Improved Emotional Regulation: Physical activity helps children express their emotions in a healthy way, reducing feelings of frustration or restlessness. Movement also releases endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce stress.
•    Encourages Independence: Movement encourages children to explore their environment and take safe risks, which fosters independence and decision-making skills.

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4. Creativity and Imagination
•    Fosters Creativity: This program incorporates creative activities such as dance, pretend play, or using props allow preschoolers to express themselves freely and explore their imaginations.
•    Encourages Problem-Solving: Activities that involve navigating obstacles, creating movements to music, or participating in guided games stimulate problem-solving and critical thinking in an enjoyable and engaging way.

 

5. Preparation for School
•    Improved Readiness for Formal Learning: Preschoolers who participate in movement programs are better prepared for the structured environment of a classroom, as they develop self-control, discipline, and the ability to follow directions.
•    Improved Hand-Eye Coordination: Activities such as catching, throwing, or playing with building blocks improve hand-eye coordination, which supports writing, drawing, and other fine motor skills needed in school.
•    Foundation for Lifelong Physical Activity: Introducing children to movement at a young age instils a love for physical activity that can last a lifetime, promoting healthy habits and active lifestyles as they grow.

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6. Cultural and Artistic Awareness
•    Exposure to Music and Rhythm: Incorporating music and rhythm, such as dance or rhythmic games, help children develop an appreciation for the arts and understand cultural elements of movement and music.
•    Introduction to Different Movement Styles: Through dance or movement games, preschoolers can explore a variety of movement styles from different cultures, helping them appreciate diversity.

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Session Examples:

Week 1: Welcome to Movement
Theme: Introduction to Movement and Play
Warm-Up: “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” song
Main Activity: Creative Movement. Children explore different ways to move (walk, hop, crawl, jump) across the room. Children are encouraged to act like animals (jump like a frog, waddle like a penguin) to spark creativity.
Cool-Down: Stretching and calming yoga poses (e.g., “Butterfly Pose” or “Child’s Pose”)
Focus: Gross motor development, body awareness, and fun exploration.

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Week 5: Animal Adventures
Theme: Exploring Movements through Animal Imitation
Warm-Up: Imitating animals (e.g., fly like a bird, slither like a snake).
Main Activity: Animal Yoga. Children are introduced to fun animal-themed yoga poses like “Downward Dog” (pretending to be dogs) and “Cat-Cow” (moving like cats and cows).
Animal Obstacle Course: Jump through hoops (like kangaroos), crawl through tunnels (like snakes), and balance on a beam (like flamingos).
Cool-Down: Pretend to “hibernate” like a bear, lying still and breathing deeply.
Focus: Promoting imagination and creative play while working on flexibility and gross motor skills.

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Week 7: Jump, Hop, and Skip
Theme: Improving Jumping, Hopping, and Skipping Skills
Warm-Up: “Jumping Jacks” and “Bunny Hops” across the room.
Main Activity: Jumping Challenges. Children jump over small objects like ropes or hoops placed on the ground. Children are introduced to hopscotch to practice hopping on one foot and two feet.
Skipping Practice: Children are taught to skip through guided step-by-step instruction.
Cool-Down: Slow walking with calming music, stretching arms and legs.
Focus: Improving balance, jumping, and coordination.