Resources on Early Learning

Illinois Early Learning Standards

Experimenting with Balance

• Video & Background
• Transcript
• Benchmarks Met

Video & Background

The child in this clip attends a mixed-age early childhood center sponsored by a public university. Playgrounds are part of the early childhood classroom, and thoughtful planning of activities for the playground environment can help children build skills and meet standards. Bringing materials outdoors can help teachers create inviting learning centers. In this clip, the teachers have created a mini-obstacle course, where children can explore balance through balance beams and tilt boards. Three- and 4-year-old children are developing their ability to balance, and they are likely to practice this gross motor skill when opportunities are presented for them to practice as part of their play.

Spanish: Se hacen experimentos con el equilibrio

This section of the Illinois Early Learning Web site links to activities related to the Benchmarks in the Illinois Early Learning Standards. We expect that early childhood professionals and parents will use these ideas in ways appropriate to their children and their setting. We are sure that you will find many ways to adapt these activities into themes, projects, and units in your program or at home.

An Illinois Early Learning link to a Web site does not imply an endorsement by the Illinois Early Learning Project or the Illinois State Board of Education of any product, resource, or service on that Web site.

HomeReturn to IEL Standards Return to Videos

Return to one of the following Learning Areas:
Language Arts | Mathematics | Science | Social Science | Physical Development & Health | Fine Arts | Foreign Languages | Social/Emotional Development

NOTE: There may be publications on this page that are available as PDF (portable document format) files. To be able to read these files, download the free Adobe Reader.