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SPARK Early Childhood Gross Motor Curriculum Training

The SPARK Early Childhood Gross Motor Curriculum Training equips early childhood educators with practical strategies for using movement to support children's physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and developmental growth. Through hands-on participation and guided practice, educators learn how to implement the SPARK curriculum to promote balance, coordination, locomotor skills, object-control skills, self-regulation, and school readiness.

Participants will explore how to create safe, inclusive, and engaging movement experiences that align with Indiana Early Learning Standards, Indiana Core Knowledge and Competencies, and Teaching Strategies GOLD objectives. By the end of the training, educators will be prepared to confidently plan, facilitate, observe, and document gross motor learning experiences that support whole-child development.

During this interactive training, you'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to use movement intentionally as part of a high-quality early childhood curriculum.

By the end of the course, you'll be able to:

  • Explain the role of gross motor development in children's health, self-regulation, social-emotional growth, and school readiness.
  • Identify age-appropriate locomotor, balance, and object-control skills for young children.
  • Implement SPARK activities that promote active engagement and whole-child development.
  • Create safe and inclusive indoor and outdoor movement environments.
  • Adapt gross motor activities to meet the needs of children with varying abilities, developmental levels, and learning styles.
  • Use intentional teaching strategies, movement vocabulary, and positive guidance to enhance learning.
  • Observe and document children's gross motor development using authentic assessment practices.
  • Connect movement experiences to Teaching Strategies GOLD Objectives 4, 5, and 6.
  • Develop implementation plans that incorporate gross motor experiences into daily classroom routines.
  • Strengthen family communication and support children's physical development through ongoing observation and reflection.

This training is designed for early childhood professionals interested in strengthening their ability to support children's physical development through intentional movement experiences.

Ideal participants include:

  • Preschool teachers
  • Pre-K teachers
  • Early childhood educators
  • Assistant teachers
  • Child care providers
  • Family child care professionals
  • Head Start and Early Head Start staff
  • Early childhood coaches and mentors
  • Program administrators and directors
  • Early childhood support staff

No prior experience with SPARK is required. This course is appropriate for both new and experienced educators seeking practical strategies for implementing high-quality gross motor activities

Gross Motor Development and School Readiness

  • Understanding locomotor, balance, and object-control skills
  • Physical development milestones
  • The connection between movement and learning
  • Gross motor development as a foundation for school readiness

Safe and Inclusive Movement Environments

  • Designing movement-friendly indoor and outdoor spaces
  • Selecting age-appropriate equipment and materials
  • Safety practices and risk management
  • Adapting activities to ensure inclusion for all children
  • Intentional Teaching Through Movement
  • Facilitating SPARK activities
  • Modeling movement skills
  • Using movement vocabulary and instructional cues
  • Encouraging cooperation, engagement, and self-regulation
  • Maintaining a play-based approach to physical activity

Observation and Assessment

  • Authentic observation techniques
  • Documenting gross motor development
  • Aligning observations with Teaching Strategies GOLD
  • Using assessment data to guide instruction
  • Communicating progress with families

Classroom Implementation Planning

  • Integrating SPARK into daily routines
  • Creating developmentally appropriate movement experiences
  • Weekly gross motor planning
  • Continuous reflection and improvement practices

The skills developed in this training support a wide range of roles within early childhood education and child development settings. Educators with expertise in physical development and movement-based learning are valuable contributors to high-quality early learning programs.

This training can support professional growth in careers such as:

  • Early Childhood Educator
  • Preschool Teacher
  • Pre-K Teacher
  • Child Care Teacher

Participants strengthen competencies in:

  • Physical development and motor skill instruction
  • Curriculum planning and implementation
  • Inclusive teaching practices
  • Observation and assessment
  • Health, safety, and wellness
  • Classroom engagement strategies
  • Family communication
  • Professional leadership and reflective practice

These skills are applicable across child care centers, preschool programs, Head Start programs, public and private Pre-K settings, family child care homes, and other early learning environments.