Grow Up Great
Note: Prior to start of the lesson, familiarize yourself with the movement directions in the lesson.
Between 3 and 5 years of age, children begin to develop gross motor skills. These are the skills that use different parts of the body such as the arms, legs, hands, feet, head, and trunk. These skills are important to develop and practice because they are the basic foundation for more complex skills such as those used in sports and recreational activities.
These lessons are aligned with the Common Core State Standards ("CCSS"). The CCSS provide a consistent, clear understanding of the concepts and skills children are expected to learn and guide teachers to provide their students with opportunities to gain these important skills and foundational knowledge.**
Between 3 and 5 years of age, children begin to develop gross motor skills. These are the skills that use different parts of the body such as the arms, legs, hands, feet, head, and trunk. These skills are important to develop and practice because they are the basic foundation for more complex skills such as those used in sports and recreational activities.
Learning to control the body helps children to develop an awareness of the space around them. The type of creative movement experienced in this activity is an introduction to defining and moving through one’s own self-space. Creative movement also encourages problem solving skills as children engage in the activity while moving through the group space safely.
- Musical selections can be found online. Search for Tiliboyo by Kronos Quartet or Siwa by Samite (Hoops); Rock ’n Stop by Eric Chappelle (Explore, Extend, & Integrate); Moon River by John Altman (Cool Down).
- Important rules of dance lessons:
a. Listen to the teacher; wait to move, and stop movement when the teacher tells you.
b. Keep your body safe while moving.
c. Stay in your own self-space.
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
Color Dance by Ann Jonas
The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
How Do You Wokka-Wokka? by Elizabeth Bluemle
While we believe that the books and resources recommended may be of value to you, keep in mind that these are suggestions only and you must do your own due diligence to determine whether the materials are appropriate and suitable for your use. PNC has no sponsorship or endorsement agreement with the authors or publishers of the materials listed.
There are currently no Common Core Standards for pre-k, but these lessons are aligned as closely as possible to capture the requirements and meet the goals of Common Core Standards. However, these lessons were neither reviewed or approved by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices or the Council of Chief State School Officers, which together are the owners and developers of the Common Core State Standards.
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