In an effort to afford early childhood education providers equity of access to the highest-quality movement education programming,OPEN has launched a content development effort with the help of some of the nation’s most respected physical education and early childhood content specialists.
EC Development Council: Aaron Hart, Nick Kline, Helena Baert, Diane Craft, Andrea Hart
EC Content Authors: Helena Baert, Jim DeLine, Amy Gagnon, Laurie Gombash, Aaron Hart, Nick Kline, Elyse Loughlin
Contributors: Lori S. Dunn, John Foley, Matthew Madden
Production & Design: Deedi Boland, Aaron Hart, Nick Kline, Jennifer Truong
Program Design: There are 3 main goals embedded within the OPEN EC program.
- Provide developmentally appropriate physical activity experiences, allowing children an opportunity to accumulate 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
- Provide instructional content designed to foster the development of knowledge and skill in six main movement exploration categories (Movement Concepts, Balance, Locomotor, Manipulative, Health & Nutrition, and Social & Emotional Development).
- Provide early childhood teachers and program providers with movement-based activities that work toward developmental outcomes and indicators defined within the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.
Program Overview:
- Full Program e-Book:
- Program Introduction:
- Equipment & Training:
- Activity Management Tips:
- Physical Activity Rules Poster:
- Movement Concept Cards:
Combine OPEN EC with Research-based Nutrition Education:
Activity Basics (The First Lessons)
- Quick Ref Activity Card:
Activity Plans:
- Gotcha:
- Imaginary Fence:
- Sharing Circle:
- Line Up Practice:
- Everyone Cleans Up:
- Share, Share, That’s Fair:
Bean Bag 1
- Quick Ref Activity Card:
Activity Plans:
- Bean Bag Home Base:
- Move Like This:
- Bean Bag Body Parts:
- Bean Bag Balance:
- Home Plate Fruit Finder:
- Bean Bag Eggs:
Bean Bag 2
- Quick Ref Activity Card:
Activity Plans:
- Color Move:
- Tower Building:
- Bean Bag Flies:
- Waterfall:
- Give With It:
- Simon Says:
Scarves 1
- Quick Ref Activity Card:
Activity Plans:
- Low, Medium, High…Oh My!:
- Stand Like This:
- Mirror Me:
- Tossing Challenges:
- Tails:
- Scarf Fitness:
Scarves 2
- Quick Ref Activity Card:
Activity Plans:
- Shape Shifter:
- Exploring Pathways:
- Setting the Table:
- Connect Two:
- Scarf Pass and Share:
- Tossing Challenges:
Ropes 1
- Quick Ref Activity Card:
Activity Plans:
- Get In Shape:
- A Is For Activity:
- Know Where:
- Be Like Superboy & Supergirl:
- Yikes! Snakes!:
- What’s On Your Plate:
Ropes 2
- Quick Ref Activity Card:
Activity Plans:
- Musical Ropes:
- Jumping Jello:
- Swing Safely:
- Matching Champions:
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner:
- Trains:
Hoops 1
- Quick Ref Activity Card:
Activity Plans:
- Hoop Race:
- Move Crazy:
- Bodies of Water:
- Colored Igloos:
- Balancing Body Parts:
- 1,2,3 Lift Off:
Hoops 2
- Quick Ref Activity Card:
Activity Plans:
- Hoop Danger:
- In or Out:
- Shuffle, Shuffle:
- Hygiene Habits:
- Ready, Aim, Throw:
- Musical Hoops:
ABC’s of Movement 1
- Quick Ref Activity Card:
Activity Plans:
- Obstacle Course:
- Yoga A,B,C’s:
- Balance Shuffle:
- Follow The Leader:
- Bean Bag Toss:
- Silly Shopping:
- Healthy Food Signs:
ABC’s of Movement Cards are available through US Games