Learning To Skip

Parents tend not to think much about certain skills. Skipping is one of these skills. Because motor development follows a typical pattern, parents can easily identify when their preschooler is ready to skip and use a simple technique to help them learn to skip.

Gross Motor Development

Preschoolers nearing kindergarten will love most gross motor activities. Gross motor skills typically follow a standard progression in preschoolers. The typical progression of skills is: walking, running and jumping, balancing on one foot, hopping on one foot then skipping.

Preschoolers unable to balance or hop on one foot will not be able to master the skill of skipping. Practice and master the skills of balancing and hopping first. Some preschoolers have not learned the skill of persistence and will be greatly discouraged if they are not able to succeed quickly. It is better to work perfecting the basic skills first with these preschoolers.

One of the most challenging activities for a preschooler to learn is skipping. For some more athletic preschoolers, skipping comes more naturally. Skipping may take a bit more practice for the average preschooler.

Skipping

A preschooler able to run and hop on one foot is ready to start practicing skipping. Demonstrating the skill of skipping to a preschooler may help, but it may prove difficult for a preschooler to coordinate his large muscles. There is a simple technique to use with a preschooler learning or struggling to learn the skill of skipping.

This technique to teach skipping is a simple three step process. Other than a preschooler, the only equipment needed is a large ball and enough open space to move safely. Simply remember the words, “Step. Bump. Hop.” This phrase will make learning to skip easy for teacher and learner alike. These movements are actually breaking the process of skipping into small steps.

Ask the preschooler to stand on both feet holding the ball in both hands. Then instruct her to take a step with one foot then bump the ball by raising up the opposite knee. The next movement is a hop with the first foot. Begin the process again. As you make the movements, say the words aloud, “Step. Bump. Hop.” If your child learns through hearing the words, this will help him memorize the process.

Practice

Outside time is the perfect time to practice. Limit the time spent on skipping practice if a preschooler seems frustrated. Add other fun games to the mix. Pass the ball back and forth, and then practice a “Step. Bump. Hop.” Understand that skipping is not an easy skill for a preschooler and show patience. When a preschooler is developmentally ready, she will learn the skill quickly.