Bring Preschool to You
You can offer the benefits of preschool to your own children by visiting local parks and centers. We have provided some ideas of activities to do in local parks, centers, and in the home where you can provide your child the space to expand their motor skills!
finding the classroom in San Luis Obispo...
painting
SLO Children's Museum
The SLO Children's Museum offers many art activities and painting which improves children's fine motor skills and creativity.
kinetic sand
SLO Childrens Museum
Fun to squish through your fingers and make fun shapes. Great for fine motor skill development! Challenge your child to make a snowman by rolling up little balls with the sand, or make a cake with little sprinkles.
books
SLO Library
Bring your children to SLO library where they can discover new stories and books. Reading to your child is not only beneficial cognitively, but challenge them to turn the pages and follow the words with their finger.
open space
SLO Parks
San Luis Obispo parks provide lots of open space allowing children ample room to improve their motor skills.
outside in the play yard...
crawl space
SLO Parks
Santa Rosa Park, Throop Park and the many other parks in SLO offer play structures where children have to navigate through by transitioning through crawling to walking to climbing. This challenges children to be aware of their body space.
stepping stones
Anywhere!
Hopping from one item to another, whether it is couch cushions, stepping stones, or drawing different shapes, will help your child develop balance and coordination.
stairs
Stairs challenge your child to coordinate their stepping patterns. One of the major milestones at age three is being able to step up the stairs one foot at a time. Younger children can increase their climbing ability by crawling up stairs.
community activities...
Santa Rosa Park
CLIMBING
1
Climbing structures help children develop fine motor and gross motor skills. Be there as support but allow them to use their own muscles! They will know when they are ready to climb higher.
2
STRUCTURES
Play structures offer a range of opportunities to challenge motor skills. Young 2s may be challenged walking up stairs where older 3s and 4s may be try to climb rock walls to get to the top.
BALANCE
3
Wobbly bridges helps children develop their sense of balance. Challenge them to stand on one foot, or hop along the bridge like a bunny. These things can help them progress.
Morro Bay
BIKE TRAILS
1
In Morro Bay the bike and walking trails offer a great place for families to bring their balance bikes, scooters, or strollers if they do not have a safe place to walk and play at home. You can also experience the nature in Morro Bay and wave to the Sea otters!
BEACHES
2
Sandy beaches are great places for children to explore different terrains. The dry sand allows for children to use different leg muscles to have more balance on the unstable terrain. Beaches also offer an expansive area for children to run freely.
Sinsheimer Park
CLIMBING STRUCTURES
Climbing structures offer many challenges to children of many different ages.
LARGE SPACES
Large spaces! Children need to be able to run around in a safe environment where they can take appropriate risks. The soft surfaces, tan bark and grass offer a safe place for children to take risks.
VARIOUS TERRAINS
Various terrains challenge children to use different muscles in their legs. In this location, children can also use their rails to pull their way up the hill.
things you may have at home...
Simple activities like zippers, buttons, cooking...even pouring water can help your child develop motor skills.