Activity
Squeaky Jumping
Use sound as a motivator for improving motor skills, weight shifting and jumping!
This activity has been revised and was originally created by Kathy Heydt and Monica Allon and published in the Perkins Activity and Resource Guide (1st edition, 1992). The second edition is available for purchase.
Improving motor development is the goal in this activity which works on weight shifting and jumping. Lessons include Orientation and Mobility.
Materials
- A variety of soft, relatively flat squeaky toys
- Six-inch-high platform
Procedure
- Prepare the area for the activity by placing a few squeaky toys under an exercise mat.
- Set up a small platform (step, blocks of wood, box). The platform should be large enough for the student to stand on comfortably and stable enough to tolerate a movement activity. The height of the platform can be low at first, beginning around six inches.
- Ask the student to jump down from the platform to make the toys squeak.
- Provide assistance as needed.
- Gradually decrease the amount of assistance.
- Gradually increase the height of the jumping surface up to two feet.
Hints: Guard against the student falling or bumping into obstacles. Perform activities on a safe surface, such as an exercise mat.
