S.M.A.R.T. Tips for Parents - Variations of Activities

Keep on Creeping!
​This week's S.M.A.R.T. Tips for Parents is all about variations and new ways to do the activities. Change up creeping by creating a carwash made of boxes, or throw a bunch of pillows on the floor to creep over. There's lots of ways to keep the activities engaging and fresh!

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Keep on Crawling!
Crawling races are so much fun! If you have multiple children encourage them to race one another! On those beautiful, warm, spring days, children can crawl down a slip ‘n slide, or, on those rainy days, crawl over bubble wrap. 

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Continue Balance Beam Work!
Changing the Balance Beam can be as easy as having your child hold a pool noodle over their head while walking the “tightrope” or pausing to stand on 1 foot. Maybe ask them to recite a math fact or spelling word while pausing! 

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Continue Pencil Roll Work!
​Pour the pieces of a simple puzzle onto the floor. Then have your child select a piece, roll over to the puzzle board, and insert the selected piece...and repeat! OR have your child imagine they are mashing the potatoes while they roll (you can even give them a potato masher to hold while rolling over a “pile of potatoes”). 

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Cross Patterning!
Cross Patterning activities help activate the connection between both sides of the brain, helping them talk to one and other. For a child to experience optimum learning, both sides of the  brain need to work together.
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Instead of walking around the house today, try a Cross Pattern walk!