Physical Skills Challenge

1. 1

   Hold a Physical Skills Challenge and see how many interesting movements you and your child can do. With each action, say, “I can…”

2. 2

   Begin with an animal-action round. Follow the animals in the picture book From Head to Toe—for example, arch your back like a cat and say, “I can arch my back.”

3. 3

   For the second round, take turns inventing movements for the other person to copy. Give a sticker for each movement completed.

4. 4

   Demonstrate first: “I can hop on one foot. Can you?” Invite your child to say the words and try the movement.

5. 5

   Then let your child create a new challenge for you.

6. 6

   At the end, look at the stickers together, remember the movements, and celebrate how much your child’s body can do.

What to notice

• Names something their body can do Sense of Identity and Belonging
• Attempts a challenging movement, such as hopping on one foot Gross Motor

Tips

• If your child cannot think of a new movement, prompt them with a body part: “What can your hands do?” Or offer choices: “Can you spin or squat?”
• If you do not have a picture book, imitate familiar animal movements or begin with the second challenge.

Developmental benefits

• Social/Emotional: Trying different movements and saying “I can...” helps your child recognize and express what their body can do.
• Movement: Acting out a variety of movements in a “body skills challenge” gives your child practice using large muscles in different ways.