Physical Play and Big Body Play
Ch. 21 Developmental Benefits of Physical (Motor) Play
READ FIRST- The selection noted below provides an overview of physical play in early childhood and the benefits of this type of play.
- Read “Physical Play” (pp. 24-25) in The Power of Play: A Research Summary on Play and Learning by Dr. Rachel E. White for Minnesota Children’s Museum (~3 minute read)
CHOOSE ONE- Select at least one of the articles below to learn more about the beneficial reasons for children to engage in physical play.
- Why Young Kids Learn Through Movement by Lara N. Dotson-Renta (~8 minute read)
In this piece in The Atlantic , Dotson-Renta provides information about how children learn through physical activities.
- Physical Activity During Early Childhood: The Importance of Parental Modeling by Christine A Crumbley, Tracey A Ledoux, and Craig A Johnston (~9 minute read)
In this article from the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, the authors outline the importance of physical play and how families play a critical role in supporting children’s physical activity.
