GYMNASTICS@HOME - KINDERGYM LESSON 1

SPRING:

JUMP, JUMP, JUMP!

Warm up & Stretch


For this age group, we recommend songs with actions/dances for warmups. YouTube is a great resource to help you sing and dance along – our favourite is Super Simple Songs. Some recommendations are below, but go with what your little one likes best. You can also just sing and dance together without the screens – choose one or two songs, and use the same to start each lesson.

ACTIVITY 1: JUMP & CATCH

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

  • a soft toy/plushie,

    or

  • a small cushion

    or pillow,

    or

  • a soft ball

How to play: 

  • Choose a spot on the floor for gymnast to stand on

  • Parent/carer says READY – gymnast bends knees into small squat in preparation to jump

  • Parent says JUMP! and throws the soft toy – gymnasts jumps with arms up, and tries to catch the toy

  • Gymnast lands with bent knees and arms in front of them/hugging the toy (MOTORBIKE shape)

  • For younger children, hold the soft toy just above their standing reach, and when they “jump” (they should stand up fast through tiptoes) you can let them “catch” the toy and bring it into a hug

ACTIVITY 2: JUMPING LADDER

Equipment needed: strings / ribbons / socks / spatulas – long thin flat objects to lay on the ground

How to play:

  • Create the “ladder” by evenly spacing your objects in a line on the ground. Leave enough space for ~2x length of gymnast’s feet. 

  • Gymnast must jump over the objects until they get to the end of the ladder, then run back to the start and do it again

  • ADVANCED:

    • add a cushion/soft toy/rolled up socks to hold between knees and ankles while jumping

  • EASIER – hold gymnasts hands and help them to jump over each object, then let them run back to the start

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

Long thin flat objects to lay on the ground such as:

  • Strings,

    or

  • Ribbons,

    or

  • Socks,

    or

  • Spatulas

ACTIVITY 3: TIPTOE TWISTER

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

  • a twister board,

    or

  • foam alphabet squares,

    or

  • colourful shapes to place on the ground

How to play:

  • Choose a colour – gymnast must walk on tiptoes to that colour, bounce up and down from tiptoe to flat feet back to tiptoe

  • Variations – change the number of bounces.

  • ADVANCED –

    • on letters, spell out words by tiptoe walking to each letter and bouncing. On numbers, do simple maths (e.g. how many fingers am I holding up?) then find the number and bounce.

ACTIVITY 4: LONG JUMPS

How to play:

  • Choose a starting point

  • Gymnast tries to jump as far as they can. Mark the distance with chalk/a toy/broomstick

  • Gymnast tries to beat their best distance.

  • ADVANCED – jump over small toy/cushion

  • EASIER – hold their hands, let them initiate the jump and help them go the whole distance. Encourage them to keep their arms straight. Hold their hands with your index finger along their forearm to assist in lifting and reducing strain on their wrists.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

  • Yoga mat recommended, but can be done anywhere

  • Chalk / pen / broom to measure distance

  • Small plushie, balled up socks or cushion to jump over

COOL DOWN / END OF LESSON

We love to finish our KinderGym classes with a song, and we recommend doing the same at home to help with creating routine for the kids. Our current favourite songs are below, but you can choose your own too:

Have fun together, and here are some extra tips:

  • Each activity should last approximately 5 minutes

  • Make up your own variations or let your child create their own variations – they will often create more exciting games out of activities

  • Make sure you are actively engaged in the activity with them! If you can’t be physically active, be vocally energetic and encouraging

  • Use the accompanying Sticker Sheet to reward successes and keep engagement

  • For clarifications on activities, let us know!