In this activity, your child will practice gross motor skills by climbing in and out of boxes, baskets, and tunnels.
Learning Area(s): Language and Communication; Physical Development
MATERIALS
- Laundry basket(s)
- Large cardboard box(es)
- Play tent or tunnel (optional)
LET'S PLAY
Older infants like to crawl and need opportunities to develop their gross motor skills by using their arms, legs, feet, and hands. Providing them with interesting objects to move in and out of helps them learn how their body relates to other objects. Provide a variety of boxes, baskets, etc. for infants to climb in and out of. Encourage infants to crawl through or climb in and out of the boxes. Cut one box to make a tunnel to crawl through. Label and describe your child’s movements while he is moving and exploring (e.g., “Marshall is crawling into this box and now he is crawling out of the box” or “You can climb over the basket and through the tunnel”).
If your child is hesitant to go through the box or tunnel, position yourself at the other end so that he sees you and feels more comfortable crawling through to the other side.
TIPS
- You can use sheets draped over chairs to make a tunnel, especially for children who might be afraid of the darkness in boxes.
- Use puppets or a favorite toy to encourage your child to continue through a tunnel.
- Try putting toys in and out of boxes and baskets. Continue to use location words to describe actions, such as “Now teddy is inside the box! Here he comes out of the tunnel!”
- Be patient with your child if he is hesitant to participate. Some children need more time to be comfortable with this activity. If they are not ready yet, you can try introducing it again at a later time.