Soccer with a twist!
This is a very easy activity and one that goes well with children who have lots of energy. Children who are very active tend to learn more when they are moving around, so why not bring the learning to them. Simply write some letters on the side of plastic cups and have your child kick a soccer ball into the cups. The challenge? They have to tell you the letter after!
📚 Books to explore: Froggy Plays Soccer by Jonathan London; Little Soccer by Brad Herzog; and Winners Never Quit! By Mia Hamm.
🌳 Take it outside! You can take this activity outside if the weather is nice.
🏆 Get competitive: If you have siblings or classmates around then encourage them to play together and make it a race!
Materials
For this activity you will need:
Soccer ball or a small ball
Black marker
Plastic cups
Learning Outcomes
Domain
Physical
Skills
Gross Motor
Indicators:
Increasing control over own movements skills
Instructions
Step 1:
Write letters on the side of the plastic cups. These can be letters of your child’s name or letters they are struggling to learn.
Step 2:
Line the cups up on the floor, giving a little space between each one.
Step 3:
Explain the rules: your child kicks the ball and knocks over the cups. For each of the cups that are knocked over, your child needs to tell you what letter is written on it and what sound it makes.
⬆️ For older preschoolers: Instead of letters, write words on the cups for them to sound out and say. You can even choose words that all rhyme.
⬇️ For younger toddlers: Start simple by using just the letters in their name.
Playful Questions
What letters do you know?
What do they sound like?
What kind of ball is this?
What shape is this ball?
What colors are on the ball?
