Feed the Frog! Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!

He’s a big green wide-mouthed frog and he loves to eat dragonflies!  I really like this Wooden Frog Toss (FROGTOSS) which comes with 2 supports (prevents it from tipping) and six rainbow-colored dragonfly beanbags.  The supports slide into slots when you are ready to play “Feed the Frog” and remove easily for flat storage. The feature I like the most is the target, the frog’s wide mouth, which is achievable for even the littlest thrower. So many bean bag toss games have several small holes that make it difficult for anyone (even the adult!) to succeed when attempting to reach the target. The Frog Toss game ensures that each child will experience success when playing while promoting eye-hand coordination, gross motor skills and, in this game, color recognition. It’s best to place the Frog Toss on a table or platform (inside or outdoors) where it is at eye-level for your children.  Place the dragonfly beanbags in a basket on the floor or ground and this wide-mouthed frog is just waiting to be fed–TOSS, THROW, TOSS, THROW the dragonflies–GULP! GULP! GULP!  YUM!

When introducing new equipment to children, please allow time for free exploration and practice.  Give children opportunities to throw from a variety of distances and to throw in different ways thus enabling them to experiment and find the position offering challenge but from which they experience success. I’ve provided some information and terminology that will assist you in understanding the levels and stages children go through in learning how to toss (slow or mid-paced looping throw using just fingers and hand) and throw (more forceful using arms and shoulders to propel the object).  Remember that learning a new skill is a process and each skill has its own developmental progression.

Stages of Throwing:

1. Child only moves his throwing arm. The body does not move as he throws.
2. Determine which hand the child usually uses for throwing.
3. A child who throws with the right arm will step forward with the right foot.
4. A child who throws with the left arm will step forward with the left foot
5. Prompt children to step forward with the foot opposite their throwing arm. This is the mature way to throw.

Teaching Cues for Learning to Throw:

1. “Look at the target.” (the frog’s mouth)
2. “Bring the beanbag to your ear before you throw.”
3. “Start with this foot in front.” (referring to the foot opposite the throwing arm)
4. “Step, turn your belly button, throw.”

Teaching Suggestions:

• Demonstrate the activity for the children.
• Use hoops on the floor to designate where children are to stand when engaged in the activities.
• To increase interest, choose other items for the child to toss into the frog’s mouth, such as: foam balls, soft blocks, plush play food, etc.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes:

Playing and participating in the activities and with the equipment promotes and develops…

1. Throwing – a  basic movement pattern that propels an object away from the body.
2. Tossing – to throw with a quick or light motion.
3. Underhand throw or toss – made with the hand brought forward and up from below the shoulder level.
4. Overhand throw or toss – made with the hand brought forward and down from above shoulder level.
5. Gross motor development – movement of the large muscles of the arms, legs and trunk.
6. Manipulative skills – gross motor skills in which an object (bean bag) is usually involved (manipulated).  These include throwing and catching.
7. Fine motor development – movement of the small muscles of the fingers, toes and eyes.
8. Eye-hand coordination – eyes and hands working together smoothly to meet a challenge.
9. Color recognition – identifying the difference between colors of the dragonflies.

10. Counting – how many dragonflies did you feed the frog?

11. Cooperation – learning to take turns and play together

12. Listening skills – ability to follow verbal directions

Discount School Supply® Product Recommendations:
Wooden Frog Toss Board, with six dragonfly beanbags (FROGTOSS)
Classroom Activity Baskets – set of 6 (CATCHY)
4″ Foam Balls, set of 6 (FOAMBS)
Soft Velour Blocks, set of 24 (VLRBLK)
Yummy Plush Play Food, 25 pieces (YUMMY)
Fruit and Vegetable Sorting Set, 20 pieces (FRUVEG)