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Why Is Physical Play Important?
Play helps children develop gross motor skills and more. Learn about ways you can support physical play.
Little ones are constantly developing their bodies in new ways, learning to jump, climb, skip, and hop—skills that build on one another. Developing gross-motor, or large-muscle, skills helps increase kids’ strength, coordination, and confidence. Here are some ways you can help:
- Introduce a tricycle or pedaling toy.
- Encourage kids to climb and swing at the playground.
- Play catch or kick a ball.
- Get kids involved in individual or group activities such as soccer, jump rope, or swimming.
- Put on some music and dance!
Small-muscle, or fine-motor, skills are another big part of development. Hand-eye coordination lets kids draw, scribble, and write—all important skills for school. Consider these ways to build fine motor skills:
- Do art projects that include drawing, cutting with safety scissors, and pasting.
- Do puzzles that have pieces of different sizes.
- Provide toys that allow for sorting or stacking.
- Play with trains or cars that need to be pushed along a track.
- Create objects by molding clay.
- Give kids practice with buttons and snaps.
![Two adults drinking coffee.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Packard_Article_ParentsCareGiversTalk-667x500.jpg)
Communicating with Parents and Caregivers Around Routines
An article offering strategies for communication with parents/caregivers.
![A family playing tic-tac-toe.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Packard_Article_StructuredPlay-667x500.jpg)
Shaping an Engaging Learning Environment
Your space is full of opportunities for children to learn and grow!
![A parent and child holding Autumn leaves.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Packard_Article_Routine-667x500.jpg)
Planning Our Days: Creating Schedules for Children
Planning ahead can help you be intentional about the learning of the children in your care!
![First/Then Board Printable](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/FirstThenBoard-ENG-667x500.jpg)
“First/Then” Boards: Managing Daily Routines
A printable tool to help children know what to expect in their daily routines and activities.
![Daily Connections printable](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DailyConnections-ENG-667x500.jpg)
Planning for Play in Daily Routines
A printable page to plan moments of playfulness during daily routines.
![All About My Day printable](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AllAboutMyDayMonth-ENG-667x500.jpg)
Provider-Parent Communications Log
A printable page to help parents and caregivers communicate about a child’s day.
![Lesson Planning Practice Printable](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/PlanningPractice-ENG-667x500.jpg)
Lesson Planning Practice
A tool to plan opportunities for learning connected to monthly and weekly themes.