Jumping In Place and Traveling

REPETITIONS
In this Program, the practice times are filled with repetitions, like the piano scales. These repeated actions cultivate confidence.  As a bonus, these skills done WELL, feel RIGHT, and make ‘brain and muscles connections’. Brain science is proving that. Because the various tasks are satisfying the student will want to do the skills again and again.   This confidence in moving and doing well  is KidSKILLS’ aim.

Both feet jump apart

1.  Start with parallel feet.
2.  Use your hands (the helper)
      and CLAP a rhythm. 1-2-3-4
3.   Have the child JUMP into the air while
      moving the feet APART. LAND with a
       slight knee bending.
4.  Use your voice well to say
        APART
        TOGETHER
        APART
        TOGETHER
        APART
  * Variations: Use different tempos. Increase the duration of practice. Think in terms of a month of sessions, suggest  15 seconds initially and extend the task practice  to 30 seconds.                       
*Helper Hints: 
1.  Look carefully to make sure YOU see the child’s whole foot contacting the floor. Remember though that there are strong arches that ‘lift’ the undersurface of the foot. 
2.  Keep width of JUMP as wide as shoulders.

Practice these patterns in place. perhaps place a chalk mark on the floor to help mark the place to land.
                       NO TRAVELING!!

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Now let's get the kids moving forward and later backwards while jumping, using both legs and feet evenly.

Ask you child to begin with:

Landing a jump in control

  1.   Feet together.  Stand TALL.
  2.   Bend the knees slightly and JUMP forward.
  3.       But make it a TINY JUMP!
  4.   Try to keep the ankles CLOSE together as you land.
  5.   Do another TINY JUMP!
  6.   Don’t let the feet separate as you LAND.
  7. NOW, do a BIG JUMP!
  8. Repeat the series:  tiny  tiny  BIG!

Repeat this pattern:  three jumps while traveling forward:  tiny, tiny BIG several times, if the child is eager. Stop if they become unfocused. Repeat next practice session.
*Hint: Use a handclap with the words, ‘Tiny, Tiny, BIG’. Vary the pace and speed as skill improves.