Playing with a hula-hoop is an ideal way to encourage children to move their bodies. Show your child how to use the hula-hoop on the stomach, neck and arms. Moving the hula-hoop in a backwards and forwards motion is helpful for encouraging spatial orientation.
Jungle gyms offer a variety of equipment for children to play on in several ways, including climbing up, sliding down, and hanging onto and swinging from items.
This game teaches children body awareness. Ask your child to identify a body part, such as the hands, arms, legs and head, and then shake it. Have the child shake the body part forwards, backwards and outwards.
The mirror game is useful for improving gross motor skills while moving in different directions. Stand facing your child, like a mirror. Tell the child you are his reflection and whatever movement he makes, you will also make, such as jumping up and down, touching your nose, shaking your head or taking three steps backwards.
Imitate the movements of animals with your child to encourage using gross motor skills in several different directions. Hop like a kangaroo, run like a horse, crawl like a spider and jump like a dog.
Dancing is a fun way to encourage children use move their bodies. Simple play your child’s favorite music and dance away. Classic dances such as the Hokey Pokey or the Macarena are ideal ways to encourage children to move in with a sense of direction.
This game teaches balances and coordination. Instruct the child to lie on his back, bend his knees and hold onto the ankles to create a basket. Have the child sway back and forth as if the child is a rocking basket. Put various toys on his stomach as if you are putting items in a basket.
Ball games like basketball, soccer, baseball and football that require children to kick, catch, throw and run in different directions are ideal for helping children develop spatial orientation and gross motor skills. Make sure the aggressiveness of the game is age-appropriate.