Big Steps, Little Steps: illustration of a toddler doing the activity

Big Steps, Little Steps

from 16 months · 5 min · Gross motor

What you need

  • a hallway or open floor space

How to do it

  1. Stand at one end of the hallway holding hands.
  2. Take giant steps together, saying 'big, big, big'.
  3. Turn back and take tiny steps: 'little, little, little'.
  4. Call 'big' or 'little' and change your steps as you go.

Why it matters

Big and little are easy to feel in their legs, and a hallway gives the words a start and an end.

What they're learning

Size words
Big and little said while their own legs do it.
Balance
A long stretched step and a tiny shuffle both ask for steady balance.
Listening and doing
Changing steps when you call means listening while moving.

What to look for

Watch for them changing their steps when you call, without looking at your feet.

A tip

Bare feet or grippy socks work best on wooden floors; slippery socks make giant steps wobbly.

Make it easier or harder

Easier: just big steps down and little steps back

Harder: add 'stop' and freeze between the big and little steps

More like this

Browse

Gross motor activities · Activities for 1 year olds · Activities for 18 month olds · Activities for 2 year olds

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