A lot of time in early childhood classrooms is spent engaging in group activities on the floor. It is important as teachers that we incorporate a combination of gross motor skills and academics as much as possible for this age group. Physical involvement not only can help young children learn but will keep them from getting bored. The following are several fun floor and carpet activities for early childhood.
Engage in a Color/Number Game
Similar to musical chairs, have children walk around in all directions over colored mats while the music plays. When the music stops tell the group to find a certain area, such as a specific colored spot or shape. This is a fun way for children to learn colors, letters, and shapes. Colorful carpeting can be used for a variety of fun and educational games.
Create a Sensory Walking Path
Whether it’s bubble wrap, piles of sand, or soft pebbles, young children love to walk barefoot over different items of varying textures and sizes. Adjust the sensory path’s level of difficulty depending on the age group. Children can walk over the items blindfolded and guess what objects they’re feeling beneath their feet or they can see what they’re walking on to improve sensory and motor skills at the same time.
Put Together a Fun Maze
Most children love finding their way through a maze. Creating a maze on the pavement with chalk or purchasing a colorful carpet with a maze is a great way to help young learners improve their cognitive skills while allowing them to move around. The Back to Nature Bee Maze can be used outdoors in the grass or on the playground. Children can walk the maze, trace the path with their fingers, and even work in teams to make their way to the beehive.
These are just a few ideas that can be used to make time together on the carpet both stimulating as well as a great learning experience. Colorful carpet that is both sturdy as well as visually stimulating will allow young learners to look forward to floor activities.
