OUTDOOR GAMES TO BOOST LEARNING
While you're outside enjoying summer fun, why not make the games your children are playing educational as well? Here are a few easy tips to add learning to traditional games and some new, fun games to keep school skills going through the summer.
Water Relay for Stronger Writing Muscles
Pick a place in the grass that is somewhat flat and at least 20 feet long. Place two buckets at the start line and 2 buckets at the finish line. Fill the buckets at the starting line with water and place a sponge in each starting line bucket.
Have the kids pick up the wet sponge, run to the finish line bucket, squeeze the water into the empty bucket, and then return to the starting line to get the sponge wet again.
This game can be played with two or more kids.
Backyard Adventures
Set up a treasure hunt in the backyard. At each station have a card with written directions for how the child will get to the next card (i.e. "Hop on one foot 10 times towards the playset, do 5 jumping jacks, and then frog leap 15 times toward the fence.) This boosts reading skills, memory skills, and following multi-step written directions.
At the end, have a "treasure" card for a hug, high five, sticker, etc. Variations include saying the steps of the obstacle course to practice your verbal directions, or demonstrating the obstacle course to see if your child can copy your movements to each station.
Right/Left Game
Hide a ball or other object in the yard. Give your child directions to find it using right/left directions and multiple steps. (Example: "Take 5 steps to the right, 3 steps forward, and 2 steps to the left.")
After the child has followed those directions, continue giving new sets of directions until the child has made it across the yard to find the ball. Give fewer directions at a time for younger kids.
For a twist, allow the child to give the directions and follow them even if it seems like a mistake. See if he can get you to the ball even when he tells you to go the wrong direction on accident.
Brainstorm to the Beat
During games that require rhythmic jumping or bouncing a ball (jump rope, four square, basketball, etc.) have the kids call out letters of the alphabet in order, words for each letter of the alphabet in order (apple, bear, cat, dog, etc.), or items in a category (farm animals - cow, pig, duck, etc.) with each jump or bounce of the ball.
This encourages brainstorming for improved writing skills.
Have fun, stay cool, and keep learning!
Toni M. Schulken
MS, OTR/L