The big draw – getting ready to write
Our weekly movement play sessions give children the opportunity to use their body in different ways to those that they may not be able to do in the classroom or outside. The equipment we choose allows children to develop core strength and balance, for example when walking up a bench and preparing to jump from the platform. We also encourage children to climb under equipment as well as travel through apparatus such as the cargo net.
An essential element of movement play happens at the end of the session and is called ‘The big draw’. Large paper that is rolled out onto the floor is always exciting for the children to explore and even the most reluctant mark makers enjoy taking part in this part of movement play.
After we have given out mark making tools, usually a felt tip pen, the children are encouraged to lie on their fronts, to connect with their core and then given a drawing challenge. Sometimes the challenge is based on a specific drawing pattern or shape, for example circles or based on some learning we have been doing that week, for example drawing someone that you love during our Valentine’s learning.
During this time, the children have plenty of space to draw and mark make and develop the muscles needed for writing later on in their learning journey. They always love to talk about what they have created and often choose to label their learning with their name too, sometimes the initial letter and sometimes all the letters in their name.
