Gross motor development
Toddlers practice rolling a doll.
Sit on the floor and invite several toddlers to play a rolling game. Show toddlers a doll or cloth bear. Explain that “the doll is pretending to be a hot dog. This is a game. Please watch me roll our doll.” Lay the doll on the floor and roll it several times. Use two hands to roll the doll from the back to tummy, or tummy to back.
Provide each toddler with a doll. Invite the toddlers to roll their doll once. Offer another demonstration, if appropriate. Then invite toddlers to roll their doll several times. Roll a doll along with the toddlers.
Recite the following rhyme as you and toddlers roll the dolls:
Hot dog, hot dog
Put him/her in the bun.
Hot dog, hot dog
Yum yum yum.
Explain that it is easy to roll a hot dog because it is straight. We put our arms close to our body when we roll. Add humor to the activity by asking toddlers “Do our hot dogs need some pickles?” If one or more toddlers says “yes,” pretend to add pickles to your doll by lightly patting the doll’s head, tummy, and feet. Invite toddlers to add pretend pickles to their pretend hot dog, too. Add to the fun by making little sounds related to the actions.
Look at how toddlers roll their doll. They will need to turn the doll, rather than giving it a nudge. Encouraging toddlers to use both hands can support the idea that an entire body is involved in rolling. This lighthearted activity may prompt smiles and giggles. It is unusual to think of a doll as a hot dog, but the image emphasizes the idea that things need to be straight (no extended arms) when they roll over.
Extra support
Enrichment
Gross motor development
A toddler participates in a book sharing about rolling out of a bed and a followup opportunity to roll his/ her body on the floor.
Be Prepared: Learn the tune and simple words to the song “Ten in the Bed” from an online resource or other source, such as 100 Toddler Favorites CD.
[Invite one toddler to sit with you on the floor to look at and talk about pictures in a book. Sit next to the toddler with the book. Describe the first picture. Point to the child in the bed.]
Let’s look at this picture together. There are lots of animals in the bed. The little child said “Roll over, roll over!” Let’s find out what happens in our book.
[Point to the child and the animals.]
What animals do we see in the picture?
[Wait for the toddler to respond by pointing or saying a word or sound. Repeat and extend the toddler’s comment. Example: “Elephant. You see the toy elephant on the bed.”]
[Point to the next picture as you read the text. Talk with the toddler about the animals rolling over in the bed when the text says “roll over, roll over.” Emphasize the repetitive use of roll over. Invite the toddler to join you in saying “roll over.” A toddler may be amused by the animals falling out of bed one by one.
Alternate reading text and describing the story in your own words. Pause to talk about a picture that seems to be of special interest to the toddler.
Use your voice and word emphasis to highlight the humor in the pictures. Laugh with the toddler.]
Our book is funny! Would you like to roll over like the animals in our book? You may roll over on our mat.
[Pat the mat or rug to indicate the place to practice a roll. Encourage the toddler to lie down on his/her back.]
We use our whole body to roll over. Our head and body move together.
[Invite the toddler to roll over and over to the opposite edge of the mat or rug. Assist the toddler if necessary. If a toddler seems eager to roll, but does not understand how to begin the roll, offer to use your hands to gently guide the rolling movement. If the toddler accepts your offer, kneel next to the toddler and place your hands lightly on his/her shoulder and knee. Apply slight pressure to indicate the direction of the roll motion. Encourage the toddler to roll on his/her own. Remove your hands as the child begins to roll independently. Say “Yes, you are rolling.”
Consider demonstrating how to roll over.
Welcome other toddlers who want to participate in the rolling activity. Show toddlers where to sit on the floor to wait for a turn. Only one toddler should roll at a time.]
We read a book called Ten in the Bed. The animals in the book rolled over. You rolled over and over. You used your whole body to roll over.
Rolling over and over requires coordinated movements. The toddler may find it easier to roll his/her whole body with hands together above the top of his/her head. If the toddler does not seem to understand the idea of doing a roll, you may wish to demonstrate (or invite another toddler to demonstrate) rolling over, or use a doll as a model. If the toddler feels uncertain about rolling, encourage him/her to roll a doll or toy animal on the mat. Extend the fun and humor from the book into the rolling activity by laughing and joyfully acknowledging the toddler’s efforts.
The book includes counting and numbers, however, at this age, a toddler is not formally learning about numbers. Avoid using the book to emphasize numbers. Promote the following story events while reading and talking about the book:
If you provide hands-on assistance with rolling, please note that for some toddlers a firm touch is more relaxing than a gentle touch. Do not tickle toddlers, but apply pressure that feels comfortable.
Extra support
Enrichment
Gross motor development
Toddlers coordinate full body movements.
This activity is designed for toddlers who participated in Option 2 or guided experiences in rolling their bodies. Invite a few toddlers to practice rolling. Use the carpet or mat to define the space for rolling.
Kneel or sit on the floor with the toddlers. Help each child as needed. Encourage toddlers to roll from one side of a small rug or mat to the other side. Lay out a mat or designate an area of carpet for rolling. Offer reminders included in Option 2 suggestions, especially keeping arms to the side and feet together. If toddlers participated in Option 1, encourage them to remember how a hot dog can roll.
Emphasize the importance of taking turns. Example: “It is Martin’s turn to roll. Martin is on the mat now. Other friends will sit on the rug with me. I will sing a song for Martin.” Some toddlers will be satisfied to roll a couple of times, whereas others will want to roll to the edge of the space.
Singing as each toddler rolls adds interest to the activity and tells the toddler when to stop and start. Use a song of your choice. “Ten in the Bed” relates to the story offered in Option 2. Another possibility is to sing a modified version of “Roly Poly,” which you can learn from an online resource or a CD. Using recorded music is not recommended. Clapping at the end of each child’s turn helps manage turn-taking and is greatly appreciated by toddlers.
It is typical for toddlers to spend much of their time engaged in active play. Movement and sensory experiences help toddlers construct knowledge about their environment. Use the verbal guidance and, if a toddler gives permission, the hands-on support for rolling suggested in Option 2. Option 3 is designed as practice. Offer Option 2 to toddlers who have no experience in rolling.
At this age, the idea of turn-taking is underdeveloped, and one of your important roles in the activity is to manage rolling as a group activity. Limiting the number of toddlers involved in the activity at any given time is advised.
Extra support
Enrichment
Materials Needed: activity mat, display photos, I Can, Can You? by Marjorie W. Pitzer, Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
Place an activity mat in an open area to allow toddlers to practice rolling with staff supervision. Sit or kneel next to the mat to facilitate the activity. Promote turn-taking if more than one toddler wishes to roll. Sing the song for each toddler. Modify the song to include toddlers’ names. Display photos of toddlers moving in different ways. Arrange books for easy access each day. Look at the suggested books with toddlers and draw attention to various movements.
Materials Needed: Ten in the Bed by Penny Dale, The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog by Mo Willems
Children of all ages will enjoy rolling games and the book Ten in the Bed. Encourage preschool-age and older children to take turns rolling across the room in a straight line. Preschool-age and older children will likely understand the reminder, “Keep your body straight like a pencil.” Encourage children to move their legs as their upper body moves. Older children may enjoy the challenge of rolling next to a friend at the same time and in the same direction. Toddlers, preschool-age children, and older children will enjoy the humor in The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog.
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