Obstacle Courses

Written By
Janice and Michelle

What is an Obstacle Course?

Obstacle courses in learning environments can come in 2 different forms, they can be fixed playground equipment or additional pieces that are used to create a sequence for children to follow. The idea behind putting an obstacle course together is for children to work through and follow a series of physical motor movements. These courses allow children to explore concepts like under, over, through, forward, backwards, inside, outside, in front of, behind, on top of and underneath. They also open up conversations around Place like first, second, next and last and can include ball skills. Usually an obstacle course has a beginning, middle and end, where a child needs to problem solve or experience each section before progressing onto the next stage.

What types of activities can an Obstacle Course include?

Obstacle courses might include walking, running, climbing, crawling, hopping, galloping, skipping and they assist in the development of core strength, coordination and balance. As well as physical domains, an obstacle course offers opportunities for the use of cognitive processing, problem solving, trial and error and can assist in risk management. Achieving a milestone within an obstacle course builds confidence, and can take courage as a child tries out and completes a task.

Obstacle Course Challenges...

Educators can at times be discouraged in setting up obstacle courses as children often find new ways to use the equipment, or they might even move the equipment that you have spent time setting up. 

Here are some suggestions to put together a successful obstacle course learning experience:

* Be present at the obstacle course, that way you can assist children to understand the flow of the obstacle course. If you walk through each obstacle together with the children then they have an understanding of how to use each piece of equipment.

* Changing fixed obstacles can give them a new use. Place material over the fort or an A-Frame and face it so that children are able to crawl underneath to give these a new use. 

* Hanging items underneath your fort or from your fencing areas will change the visual and auditory focus for children. Adding a sensory wall as part of the obstacle course will allow time to work through a problem before moving onto the next obstacle. 

* Using arrows as a visual cue can assist children in moving from activity to activity as they make their way through a sequential order.

* Use a visual board where the child puts their photo up to indicate that they are spending time at this activity. They can move their photo with them when they go to the next obstacle or activity. This can assist children in learning turn-taking and patience.

* Add dress ups within the obstacle course to promote self-help skills. For school readiness, the obstacle course might reflect putting socks, then shoes on, adding a lunchbox, drink bottle and hat to a backpack and locating laminated landmarks that they might see on their way to school.

* Obstacle courses can be used as a transition activity to move from one area to another or to move from outside to inside.

* Bring obstacle courses indoors or bring inside resources outside to add into your course. Perhaps one of the activities in your course is to build a 3-block stack before moving on.

* Add sensory materials or use familiar stories like “We’re Going on a Bear’s Hunt” to inspire the activities within your obstacle course and tell the story as you work through each element.

Remember:

The more creative and imaginative you are with your obstacle courses, the more opportunities your children will have to develop crucial skills and the more fun they will have exploring the equipment and resources you have in your learning environment.

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