Preschool Tumbling Mat

Preschoolers have endless energy and love to move--run, roll, crawl, scoot, slide, scrabble, wrestle, and on and on until they are worn out.  A Preschool Tumbling Mat provides endless opportunities for little ones to release their energy without getting hurt.  The activity mat helps contain the active play to one area, particularly helpful in a crowded classroom or even in a home.  The preschool tumbling mat is designed for rolling, doing summersaults, and practicing some of the tricks the budding gymnasts have seen watching the Olympics or other gymnastic events.  This is even a save place for little boys to wrestle, keeping them from rolling into furniture or other barriers where they would get hurt.  The mat serves to designate a specified area for floor play, whether it is gymnastics, wrestling, or just rolling around.
     
The mat measures four feet by five feet and is big enough for two children at a time to exercise and demonstrate their tumbling skills.  The royal blue cover is heavy; sixteen gauge vinyl, which can be wiped clean.  The solid foam fill is one inch thick, soft enough to help protect the children from bruises and scratches.  Both ends have handles which make it easy to move the mat or to hang in on the wall when not in use.
   
  Research reveals that preschoolers can learn and improve their motor skills through practice.  Gross motor activity increases strength, balance, and coordination, all skills that make for a healthier, well-developed child.


Since many health experts have determined that children face an obesity epidemic, activity and exercise is important in very early childhood and throughout life.  If children learn how much fun exercise can be, they will choose to lead a more active lifestyle.  In addition, if they develop strong muscles and coordination, they will be more apt to participate in physical activities because they will be skilled and find these activities fulfilling.


Exercise also increases metabolic rate, important for children and adults.


     Drawing children away from TV and video games will increase their chances for an active healthy lifestyle.  These habits develop early in life, so it is imperative for schools, daycare facilities, and homes to provide fun, safe physical activity for toddlers and preschoolers.  Instead of scolding children for being active, requiring them to sit down in time out, or sending them to their room to be quiet, why not offer safe, manageable physical activity?

A Fantastic NAEYC Conference

Last week brought early childhood educators to Orlando, Florida, for The National Association of the Education of Young Children® conference. Over 8000 excited and enthusiastic individuals travelled from their homes and gathered for a few days of learning, listening, networking, and soaking in all the early education world has to offer.
The conference kicked off with a concert by true legends in the early childhood music world. Hap Palmer took the stage first followed by Ella Jenkins, The Learning Station, and Greg and Steve. With thousands of young children in the audience, these music heroes had everyone singing, dancing, and moving to the beat!
The Exhibit Hall opened at noon, a change from previous years, to huge crowd of anxious shoppers. Booths were busy with attendees eagerly looking at new products for their classrooms. The excitement continued to build with the opening keynote by Vivian Gussin Paley, reknowned author, whose presentation on “Who Will Save Kindergarten” was filled with inspiration and hope for the future. With that inspiration, the Exhibit Hall reopened to attendees seeking new and innovative equipment and early childhood education supplies.
The conference was then in full swing with hundreds of fantastic sessions to attend on topics ranging from Language & Literacy to Professional Development to Environmental Education for Children. Many quality presenters shared information with conference attendees and fostered group discussion and sharing.
The energy from the people at the conference was amazing. It’s refreshing to see such hope and promise in the early education industry. As the conference drew to a close, there is optimism that the energy will continue to flow back to the children.