Mark a start line with a stick. Child jumps as far as possible. Standing broad jump, two-footed takeoff. Parent marks each landing with a stone. The visual record accumulates on the ground and the child can see their exact progress across attempts.
How to do it
- 1Scratch a start line. Two feet together, bend knees, swing arms. Show them once.
- 2Mark every landing with a stone. Let all the jumps accumulate on the ground.
- 3They can see every attempt laid out — that's what makes them keep going.
- 4Variations: one foot, backwards, eyes closed. Each one is its own record.
Variations
- If they're not interested: try a simpler version of the activity or move on without pressure. Interest often returns after a break.
- "One more round, then we need to head in." Play that final round and wrap up as the activity naturally winds down.
💡 Parent tip
If they get frustrated, shift the framing: 'You've jumped 8 times. Your legs are getting stronger even when the distance stays the same.'
What your child develops
- Gross motor coordination — two-footed takeoff and landing mechanics
- Self-regulation — tolerating not breaking the record and trying again
- Quantitative thinking — understanding distance as a measurable thing
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