I Move We Move - Good For Kids - NSW Government

4.3
Water play
Children often have a natural interest in water. Water play can therefore be a great way to engage
children in physical activity. Child safety should be ensured with any games or activities involving
children and of course it is important to never leave young children alone near water or in the bath.
With a few simple toys or props, water can be used in a variety of ways to encourage children to be
active. Here are some ideas:
• Have a collection of water toys
• Preschoolers can wash equipment like bikes, cars, plastic plates and cups
• Children can help to water plants using a watering can. They can use the hose too!
• Small buckets with water and a paint brush is always fun. Toddlers can walk around “painting”
the cement path, the shed, fence etc…
• Adding water to other materials like dirt and sand allows for creative messy play. Have some
cooking equipment and utensils available such as small saucepans, spoons, patty cake tins,
or even some trucks. Don’t forget spades and buckets!!!
• Have soapy water and warm water to heighten sensory awareness or add fragrant oils to water
e.g. lavender
Transition activities
With ideas and imagination, transitions can become a simple way to contribute to physically active
fun for preschoolers. Whether the transition involves moving between rooms, washing up for meals,
toileting or heading outdoors, each provides an opportunity to contribute to incidental play-based
physical activity. These activities can also provide children a chance to be creative and suggest ways
they can be physically active as they transition. Activities can be modified to support children who
want to participate but aren’t quite ready to make movement suggestions. As they observe other
children’s ideas and you support their contributions, their participation will emerge.
Here are some ideas to encourage children to be active during transitions:
• Encourage each child to choose their own action movement style as they walk to the next
activity, the children following can then copy or make up one of their own
• Encourage children to demonstrate their best animal movement such as hopping like frogs or
stomping like a bear
• Use transport as a theme – let's see that bus, car, train, or truck arrive at their destination
See the Physical Activity Handbook – Preschoolers (Table 4, page P.8) for more ideas.
I Move We Move, The Guide Edition 1 August 2009
AREA HEALTH SERVICE