Young children are, in essence, learning sponges; they absorb information with remarkable speed and aptitude. What’s even more impressive is their capacity to learn in a multitude of ways simultaneously. For instance, while a toddler is learning fundamental physical skills and developing their coordination, they are equally engaged in honing their speech, expanding their communication and language abilities, internalizing appropriate social behaviours, learning to express their emotions effectively, and even refining cognitive skills like thinking and problem-solving. The seemingly simple act of movement, therefore, plays a crucial role in overall development, serving as a foundation upon which children build complex skills in other domains. It's a holistic approach where physical activity is the catalyst for growth across the board.
Year after year, Catrobatkidz is committed to helping each child reach their full potential. This is achieved through a carefully crafted curriculum that builds upon previous learning. We continuously refine basic movement patterns, focusing on technique, and introducing new, yet appropriate challenges as the child progresses in skill and confidence. This structured approach ensures that learning is not stagnant but is rather a series of incremental improvements designed to foster a sense of ongoing accomplishment. The program is specifically designed to align with developmental milestones at different stages, creating continuity and consistency in skill progression.
Let's delve into a more detailed look at how physical skills evolve through early childhood, highlighting the role Catrobatkidz plays at each stage:
Between ages 2 and 3 years:
This is a period of significant transformation in a child's motor skills. The characteristic "toddle" – that wide-legged, slightly unsteady walk typical of new walkers – begins to disappear, replaced by a more fluid and stable gait. Children at this age discover running, jumping, climbing, throwing, and hopping, though initially, these movements may lack precision or coordination. They enthusiastically participate in games that involve throwing and catching – using large, soft balls, scarves, or bean bags – and they develop the ability to kick a large ball. Their exploration of movement also expands to pushing themselves around on ride-on toys. Additionally, this is a key time for the development of hand preference, where children begin to show a tendency to use one hand more than the other, marking the beginning of developing into either a left or right-handed individual. Catrobatkidz provides a safe and engaging space for all these exploratory movements, ensuring they're practiced correctly, thereby building a solid foundation for more complex coordination to follow.
Between ages 3 and 4 years:
The development of gross motor skills takes another leap forward during this period. Children master climbing stairs, though they typically use a step-by-step method, bringing both feet onto each stair before moving to the next. While they are mastering this skill, they often need some "back-up" assistance to avoid accidental falls. Descending stairs is still often done backwards. They can walk both forward and backward confidently, turn quickly, and stop with better control. They may still find it difficult to jump over obstacles at this point, but they can comfortably jump off lower steps or objects. Hopping becomes more refined, with children gaining the ability to hop higher as their leg muscles strengthen. Many begin to hop on both feet together and even manage short bursts of hopping on one foot as their coordination improves. Balance continues to develop, and they will often practice standing on one foot, albeit with some unsteadiness. At Catrobatkidz, we encourage this development through structured activities and guided challenges. We also see improvements in their upper body mobility, which, in turn, enhances their throwing and catching abilities. Tricycle riding also emerges as a new skill, with children learning to pedal and steer. Additionally, they are developing the coordination needed to kick a larger ball directly in front of them. Children around this age will typically establish their dominant hand.
Between ages 4 and 5 years:
During this stage, children are increasingly self-sufficient and confident in their movements. They can now navigate stairs independently, using an alternating foot pattern. Their running becomes smoother and faster, and they begin to skip, though the movements are sometimes uneven. They add spin to their throws, displaying greater control and fluidity. When riding tricycles, they can steer more precisely and increase their speed. Balance continues to improve, with children able to stand on one foot for at least five seconds. They begin to master walking on a low balance beam and will start exploring the small trampoline. At Catrobatkidz, we capitalize on this newfound control through more complex activities within a safe and supervised setting, fostering healthy risk-taking and continuous skill refinement.
Between ages 5 and 6 years:
This age range sees a consolidation and refinement of the skills already acquired, along with the introduction of more nuanced forms of movement. Children run faster with added agility, display better balance on one leg, throw further, and can start experimenting with bicycles that include training wheels. They incorporate sideways steps into their movements, can walk backwards with speed, hop and climb with confidence, skip fluently, and often engage in active play, such as on climbing frames, slides, swings, and see-saws. At this point, they start to be able to effectively hit balls with bats, reflecting a significant improvement in hand-eye coordination. Many children begin to integrate their newly developed motor skills into organized sports like soccer, cricket, and swimming. Within the Catrobatkidz environment, children are encouraged to master skills such as diving rolls off trampolines and walking on higher beams, while also building the needed technique for these skills.
7 years and older:
As children enter the later years of early childhood and beyond, their motor skills continue to be refined and expanded. They develop increased coordination in catching and throwing, and they are capable of participating in active games with more complex rules and responding with improved reaction time. Their ability to sequence motor activities becomes more precise, as highlighted in gymnastics training. At Catrobatkidz, we continue to challenge and develop skills, helping these older children to build the foundation they need for future physical pursuits and building a healthy lifestyle.
In Conclusion:
The structured teaching methods employed by Catrobatkidz are carefully designed to facilitate optimal skill development. Our approach includes several fundamental elements:
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Demonstration and Observation: Children learn by watching and emulating correct form and technique
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Forming a Mental Image: Before attempting a movement, children are encouraged to visualize the action to aid in coordination.
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Imitating: Children learn by imitating the actions and movements that are demonstrated.
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Practising: Repeated exposure to a movement develops muscle memory and refines technique.
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Repetition: Consistent repetition is key to internalizing skills and improving proficiency.
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Motivation: A positive and supportive environment fosters a love for movement and motivates children to push their boundaries.
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Adequate opportunities: We aim to provide the opportunity to refine skills into competence
It truly does take a village to raise a child, and we are committed to remaining an active, supportive part of that village. Observing the magnificent milestones and the constant changes children undergo during the critical early childhood years, it becomes apparent how much we can continue to contribute to your child's growth. We do more than teach kids physical skills; we are helping build a foundation for healthy habits, self-confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. When you witness how these developmental changes unfold within your child, we are confident you’ll see the value in continuing their journey with Catrobatkidz.