Sometimes inclement weather keeps us indoors, but that doesn't mean learning for children has to take place sitting down at a desk. In fact, research shows that the most effective way for children to learn concepts is to experience them physically. Active learning benefits the whole child by supporting cognitive, social/emotional, and physical development and spans across the early childhood curriculum including language and literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, creative representation, and social skills. In this list, you will find resources for inspiring, motivating, and facilitating indoor active learning through music, activities, games, dances, and more.
Rainy Day Activities
Filled with quiet games to create relaxing moments, active games to get the wiggles out, and games that require no materials at all, Rainy Day Activities has everything you need to make being stuck inside fun!
Shake, Rattle, and Roll
Rhythm Instruments and More for Active Learning
When children are singing, moving, listening, and playing music, their creative energy enhances their learning in many areas. In Shake, Rattle, and Roll: Rhythm Instruments and More for Active Learning, you will find activities that inspire curiosity, exploration, and creativity in many areas including language, math, science, and music.
Up, Down, Move Around — Math and Literacy
Active Learning for Preschoolers
Young children learn best when they connect physical activity with learning! Up, Down, Move Around is packed with fun, simple math and literacy activities that will have your children jumping, shaking, rolling, dancing, and clapping as they learn!
Up, Down, Move Around — Nutrition and Motor Skills
Active Learning for Preschoolers
Movement-inspiring activities reinforce good nutrition, health and motor skills! Up, Down, Move Around is packed with fun, simple activities that will have your children jumping, shaking, rolling, dancing, and clapping as they learn!
Wiggle, Giggle & Shake
200 Ways to Move and Learn
This book offers 200 simple, practical, and fun movement-inspiring activities and ideas grouped according to popular classroom themes such as nature, animals, nutrition, holidays, and more.
Encouraging Physical Activity in Preschoolers
This book guides teachers and caregivers in providing preschoolers with instruction in physical skills so that they can grow strong bodies, enjoy physical activity, use motor skills to move around their environment, interact with others, play games confidently, learn, and move with assurance toward a healthy lifestyle.
Encouraging Physical Activity in Toddlers
While toddlers are on the move constantly, this book reveals how adults can model new movements and skills to lay the foundation for them to enjoy physical activity as they grow and develop. Encouraging Physical Activity in Toddlers shows parents and caregivers how they can help toddlers develop important physical skills through structured and unstructured play—skills that will last a lifetime!
Encouraging Physical Activity in Infants
This book reveals how caregivers of infants can encourage muscle development as well as strength and balance with simple activities done with infants as young as six weeks old. Learn how your active involvement in simple activities can help infants: develop their senses of hearing, sight, and touch; keep their bodies healthy and active; and develop good posture, strength, balance, and tracking skills.
Jump into Science
Active Learning for Preschool Children
Research shows that the most effective way for children to learn concepts is to experience them physically. Jump into Science gives teacher over 100 active learning experiences that incorperate fun, exciting science experiences with movement.
Jump into Literacy
Active Learning for Preschool Children
Written by a well-known children's movement specialist, Rae Pica, these joyful games will engage the whole child in moving and playing as a way to develop the literacy skills needed for reading and writing.
Jump into Math
Active Learning for Preschool Children
Jump into Math is the perfect way to turn children's love of active games into learning opportunities! The activities in each chapter are organized by level of difficulty, and each one incorporates fun, exciting math experiences with movement.
3-2-1: Time for Parachute Fun
Children love parachute play, but there's more to parachute play than just games! The activities in 3-2-1: Time for Parachute Fun are sure to get kids laughing while they're learning to count, cooperate, follow directions, and move their bodies in new ways.
Move to Learn
Integrating Movement into the Early Childhood Curriculum
Not only is movement natural, it is also necessary for optimal physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development. Through simple strategies and activities, Move to Learn seamlessly integrates fine and gross motor-skill development across the early childhood curriculum including language and literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, creative representation, and social skills.
Great Games for Young Children
Over 100 Games to Develop Self-Confidence, Problem-Solving Skills, and Cooperation
This book gives teachers everything they need to know in order to play over 100 great games, including outside games, musical games, circle games, concept games, and cooperative games. Every game provides benefits for the whole child by supporting cognitive, social/emotional, and physical development.
The Complete Book of Activities, Games, Stories, Props, Recipes, and Dances for Young Children
This ultimate resource is bursting with new selections and old favorites! Each of the 600 activities, stories, games, recipes, props, and dances will encourage active learning and enhance any preschool curriculum.
The Little Book of Dance
Little Books with Big Ideas
The Little Book of Dance helps you to plan and extend children's dance experiences through a series of flexible sessions.
Making Space for Preschool Makerspaces
Filled with colorful photographs taken in real early childhood settings, this book will guide you step-by-step in making a makerspace that invites young children to boldly explore materials through active learning and create something only they can imagine.
Banish Boredom
Activities to Do with Kids That You'll Actually Enjoy
Taking a lighthearted approach to the serious business of parenting, Banish Boredom helps parents find activities that they enjoy, while their children learn and have fun.
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