The Preschooler

Sidewalk Obstacle Course

My husband used to enjoy watching these crazy television shows where contestants had to make their way through a nearly impossible obstacle course.  I can somewhat see the attraction as it was comical to watch these willing participants get covered in mud and goo or be soaked to the bone when a task was not completed successfully along the course.

I am certainly not suggesting you put your child through this same type of embarrassing set of circumstances.  However, there is a very easy way to help your child improve his gross motor skills while, at the same time, using his cognitive abilities to interpret a code.  All you need is some sidewalk chalk, a sidewalk or paved driveway, and a bit of sunshine.

Begin by creating the obstacle course using symbols to represent actions.   )With my children, I used a straight line to represent walking forward as though on a balance beam, “X”s meant to hop on one foot, circles indicated to hop on two feet, and a dashed line meant to walk backwards. )  Explain the symbols, and demonstrate how to complete the obstacle course.  Then, give your child a turn, helping him if necessary.  Play the game as long as his interested is there.  You can have him complete the course in the reverse order when he tires of going in the original direction.  Or, simply use a bucket of water to wash off the first course and, when it dries, make a new one!

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Written by Laura on May 1, 2010