Your Therapy Source Magazine for Pediatric Therapists May 2016 | Page 13

5 Gross Motor Activities for Small Spaces As school based therapists, we are frequently working on gross motor skills in small spaces. In my experience, I have worked in crowded classrooms, hallways, under stairwells and even closets. You have to come up with creative ideas to get students moving without the benefits of a large gym or outdoor space. Here are 5 easy gross motor activities for small spaces: 1. Yoga Cards and Games: This download is a collection of 30 full sized yoga cards (8.5″ x 11″) with directions, Sun Salutation sequence and over 20 game ideas with small size yoga cards (4″ x 5″). They are reproducible for the clients on your caseload or students in your classroom. Send them home for carry over activities. Find out more at http://www.yourtherapysource.com/yogacards.html 2. Classroom Activity Posters: Classroom Activity Posters is a collection of 16 exercise activities, divided into four groups: posture, alerting, ready to work and focus/balance. All of the exercises are performed in standing. Try these activities prior to starting fine motor activities, for posture breaks, to refocus students attention and for vestibular/ proprioceptive input in the classroom. Find out more at http://www.yourtherapysource.com/cap.html. 3. Sensory Motor Game Boards: This is a download of 7 game boards that promote muscle strengthening, eye-hand/foot coordination, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, body awareness and motor planning. Find out more at http://www.yourtherapysource.com/sensoryboards.html 4. Adventure Skill – Self-Regulation Flash Cards: This 16 Flash Card Set in printable PDF format includes health lessons and self-regulation techniques that combine creative movement, yoga and Brain Gym®. Find out more at http://www.yourtherapysource.com/movewithmeselfregulation.html 5. Brain Breaks: Download our most popular freebie of all time – Roll Some Brain Breaks at http://www.yourtherapysource.com/rollsomefunfree.html. Check out all the brain break titles that encourage physical activity with minimal to no equipment and can be done in small spaces here http://www.yourtherapysource.com/brainbreaks.html Wait! I have to include one more bonus idea… 6. The ABC’s of Movement®: educational flash cards that combine movement with literacy development. Kids love these colorful flash cards that merge learning the alphabet with twenty six fun, noncompetitive movement activities. Find out more here http://www.yourtherapysource.com/abcmovement.html www.YourTherapySource.com