Did you know that a day out at the farm is a great way to encourage experimentation and practice of important gross motor skills?
We know that over the last two years it has been hard to ensure that our little ones get all the experiences that their older siblings would have done. Farmer Palmers in Organford is packed with opportunities for fun-filled play to get important movements in. Here’s how you can do that at Farmer Palmers…
1. The tractor ride
Getting up and into the tractor promotes strength and balance, especially if you let them try their own way. It may take a few seconds more, but practice is essential. Sitting on a bench travelling over the bumpy fields is great for working body position sense and balance reactions. Looking around helps to develop visual skills like focussing on things you point to in the distance, or moving their eyes to track moving objects for example watching the animals.
2. The Trim Trail
There are lots of obstacles to challenge a developing body. To go over, under, through, around, balance across, jump into will challenge your little one’s ability to plan movement. It will help to develop body awareness, visual perception (making sense of what you see like a change in depth) and all over body strength and coordination.
3. The Little Farmers Barn
Climbing up and onto the hay bales and organising their bodies to slide down the various slides will work on balance, strength, motor planning and overall fitness and stamina – especially if you get them to repeat and repeat, being there just in case they need you but on the whole letting them explore.
In the other indoor play area there is plenty for your child to experience– let them experiment with what they can do, even if it looks a little bit odd, its all part of child development.
We hope we have given you a few ideas – what a great physical day out!
Copies of Farm Adventure are available to buy in the Farmer Palmer's Farm Park Shop.