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404 Deskside Activities for Energetic Kids (SmartFun Activity Books)

Barbara Davis, MS, MFA
Hunter House Publishers (2008)
ISBN 9780897934671
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (5/08)

In today’s world children do not have as many opportunities for physical activity as they did in the past.  Years ago children walked to and from school, whereas now times have changed and it may no longer be as safe for a child to do so by himself.  Because of changes and circumstances in today’s world limiting the amount of activity children can get, it is important to try to incorporate some sort of opportunity for physical movement into a child’s daily routine.  “404 Deskside Activities for Energetic Kids” is written to provide some ideas of just how to do that.

The book is geared toward teachers of children age 3 through 9 and is filled with tons of opportunities to create movement.  Not only is movement important in a child’s physical development but it also has positive effects on a child’s social and cognitive development, as well as promotes creativity. 

With each activity listed there are icons next to it that allow you to determine with a glance certain characteristics about the activity, such as targeted age, appropriate group size, whether or not the activity is advanced, if you need props or space, if physical contact is involved, and/or if you need to draw on skills that were previously taught in other activities.  These icons are very helpful in sifting through the activities to find one that is appropriate to your situation. 

The activities in the book range from the very basic to the advanced.  At one end of the spectrum are “Arm Circles” and “Standing Star” which are movements that look exactly like their name implies.  At the other end, one of the activities listed is called “Human Links: Division” and reads as follows, “Call out a number such as two.  To answer, the students would link in groups of four and two, or six and three, etc., to show numbers that would divide to produce that answer.”

“404 Deskside Activities for Energetic Kids” is a great book for both teachers and parents.  My children had a fun time doing some of the activities in the book and every time that I am working at the computer they ask for a new one to do.  With 404 activities listed I am going to be able to keep them busy for a very long time!

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