It's also a crucial time in which positive learning experiences can help establish a positive attitude and appreciation for participating in regular, daily physical activity for life. Here are some guidelines for teaching young children about the fundamentals of movement. Young children need a variety of experiences leading to more mature fundamental movement patterns. During the elementary years, children develop more mature patterns of various fundamental motor skills, then begin to combine these skills. Because, children develop these patterns at different rates, focus on teaching children rather than teaching activities.
Young children learn by interacting with their environment.
Developmentally appropriate movement programs for young children are designed so that all children are active participants, not passive listeners or observers. Teachers of young children are guides or facilitators. Since young children learn by doing, it follows that their teachers must facilitate the children's active involvement in learning. Teachers construct the environment with specific objectives in mind, then assume the role of guiding the children toward these goals. Young children learn and develop in an integrated way.