Course:KIN355/2020 Projects/Hopping
Defining the Concept and Its Importance
Hopping is a fundamental movement skill (FMS), categorized more specifically as a locomotor skill (Cohen et al., 2014), which is a skill that allows a child to move their body from one space to another (Wick et al., 2017). According to Lubans et al. (2012), “fundamental movement skills (FMS) are considered to be the building blocks that lead to specialized movement sequences required for adequate participation in many organized and non-organized physical activities for children, adolescents, and adults (pg.1020). Hopping is an asymmetrical pattern of locomotion that emerges once the child has reached the ability to walk while holding themselves upright (Tveter & Holm, 2010). For a child to successfully execute this skill, they must first take-off of one foot and land on that same foot (Bredin, 2020). A sufficient amount of force needs to be produced by the child to lift their body off the ground, propel their body up into the air, and then land on one foot while balancing their body weight on that same foot (Holm et al., 2009). Around the age of 3, children begin to develop this skill, and they continue to improve it throughout childhood (Masci et al., 2012). Around 60% of children at age 7 are able to hop on one foot, and most children become advanced hoppers by the age of 10 (Holm et al., 2009). Hopping is a skill that is often required to fully participate in many play-game activities, sports, and dance (Tveter & Holm, 2010). It is a skill that helps children establish body awareness so they can sense where their body is relative to the environment that they are in (Appetite to play, 2019). Balance, coordination, muscle strength, and sufficient timing are needed to properly execute this skill (Holm et al., 2009; Tveter & Holm, 2010). There are three approaches that describe the process of learning to hop and they include the component approach, the whole-body approach, and the three-phase approach (Bredin, 2020). The component approach describes the body segment changes that occur across the stages of motor skill development; the whole-body approach describes the entire body across the stages; and the three-phase approach includes initial, elementary, and mature stages of development (Bredin, 2020). These stages contain several steps that a child takes to execute a hop in regards to how they move their arms and legs (Bredin, 2020).
Acquiring fundamental motor skills such as hopping, during early childhood, can provide a strong base for the development of gross motor skills in the future (Bredin, 2020). Complex movements can arise once children are proficient with the basic fundamental movement skills (Foweather et al., 2015). Children are more likely to engage in physical activity when they have mastered their fundamental movement skills, and will likely choose to drop out of sports and partake in sedentary behaviour when these skills have not been met (Foweather et al., 2015). In conclusion, hopping is an important movement skill for children to master in early childhood, so they can continue to develop more challenging movement skills that are needed to participate in various sports and other physical activities. (Chen et al., 2017).
Role in Childhood Development and Contemporary Considerations
Hopping is an essential fundamental movement skill that builds the foundations to many other movement skills like leaping, running, and skipping through enhancing leg strength, coordination of movements, and balance (Bredin, 2020). Hopping is present in many forms of play and is often required for recreational and competitive sports. Some structural constraints include having a higher centre of gravity, the amount of muscle proportional to weight, and foot preference.
In BC’s physical education curriculum, one of the physical literacy curricular competencies states that children in kindergarten should be able to continue to develop and then execute different fundamental movement skills such as hopping, in a diverse number of activities and environments (British Columbia. BC’s New Curriculum, 2020). This is vital so that when children progress to the next grade, they build upon the skills that they have already acquired. Games such as leapfrog and long jump are excellent ways for children to improve their hopping skills as they encourage the child to practice hopping.
A current issue that can impact a child’s ability to hop is the increasing amount of physical inactivity amongst younger children, especially in disadvantaged populations. Delays in motor skill acquisition and physical inactivity are more commonly seen in low-income areas due to reduced access to fitness facilities and physical activity programs, as well as an inability to afford these amenities (Stagnitti et al., 2011). Children that are proficient with their fundamental movement skills are more likely to participate in physical activity and sports as they grow up (Foweather et al., 2015). These children will have a lesser chance of becoming obese and will be able to develop more complex movement skills as they get older (Wick et al., 2017). It is common for children to have low self-confidence and be teased when they have not fully developed their fundamental movement skills. As a result, these children will more likely be less inclined to participate in a physical activity altogether (Stagnitti et al., 2011). Therefore, it is important for children to develop fundamental movement skills in early childhood to encourage healthy emotional, physical, social, and cognitive development (Wick et al., 2017).
Another issue that can impact a child's ability to learn the skill of hopping would be if they had a disability such as Down Syndrome or Autism. Children with Down Syndrome do not develop fundamental movement skills around the same time as their peers, and tend to show a greater delay in the development of more complex movements such as walking or hopping (Capio et al., 2018). Similarly, the development of fundamental movement skills in children with Autism is also delayed or in some cases is missing completely (Crawford et al., 2013). Game situations that allow the child to learn through the action and movement of objects, exploration, and physical movement can encourage the child’s development of physical and motor skills (Regaieg et al., 2020). Therefore, childhood educators, teachers, and coaches should provide the child with games that will allow them to interact with their environment and should give the child specific instructions to facilitate proper learning that will enhance their overall growth and development (Regaieg et al., 2020).
Practical Applications
There are numerous ways a child can improve their hopping capabilities through sport, games, and activities. Two of which are hopscotch and jump rope .
Hopscotch
Hopscotch is a classic playground game that requires little equipment to perform and promotes the acquisition of hopping and balance skills. This game is perfect for both boys and girls and the target age of participation is four to ten years of age. Furthermore, hopscotch can be played alone, with a partner, or in small groups. The set-up for this game is very simple. The only equipment that is required to play hopscotch is chalk or tape, to create the outline of your course, and a marker that the child can toss onto the course. Some examples of markers used in hopscotch are beanbags, twigs, or small stones (O’Neil Bellomo, 2020). Hopscotch can be played inside or outside in an open area. The traditional way to play hopscotch is to first draw the play field using chalk or tape (O’Neil Bellomo, 2020). A traditional Hopscotch diagram is shown to the right. Next, the child tosses their beanbag onto the first square of the diagram (O’Neil Bellomo, 2020). Then, the child must hop on each square to the end of the course, avoiding the space the marker is on (O’Neil Bellomo, 2020). Once they reach the end, they will turn back around and continue hopping back to the beginning, but they also must pick up the marker as they return (O’Neil Bellomo, 2020). The pair spaces, for example, 2-3 or 8-9, shown to the right, must be landed on with both feet, then the hopping continues (O’Neil Bellomo, 2020). If the child successfully reaches the end and returns with their marker, they move onto the next number and place the marker on the next number, or the next square on the diagram (O’Neil Bellomo, 2020). If they fall, land outside one of the squares, or neglect to pick up the marker, they must redo that number (O’Neil Bellomo, 2020). Once they complete each number, they have successfully completed hopscotch (O’Neil Bellomo, 2020). This is the original, most popular version of hopscotch, but there are various other renditions of this game. Some of these variations include adding a time limit, in which participants race against the clock to finish the course, or the marker must be kicked along and must cross the finish line with the child (O’Neil Bellomo, 2020). Hopscotch not only benefits the child physically, but can foster the child’s creativity. One major benefit of hopscotch is the fact that the board is not permanently set. The child is free to make the course however they see fit. The hopscotch diagram can be long, short, narrow, twisty, challenging; the list goes on and on.
Jump Rope
The purpose of jump rope is to improve cardiovascular and bone health, increase leg and ankle strength, and reduce injury risk (Burch, 2020). People can begin jumping rope as early as age four. As they continue to progress, there are various different techniques and movement patterns that the jump rope allows. This activity is great for anybody because all you need is a jump rope and an open, flat surface. To begin the activity, hold the ends of the rope in each hand and have the rope resting on the ground behind your feet. Then, swing your wrists to bring the rope up and over your head. As the rope swings over head and drops toward your feet, jump over the rope and continue the movement. Basic jump rope involves jumping with both feet over the rope, but in order to improve hopping ability, more proficient children can attempt to jump rope using only one leg. The target age for this more advanced technique is 7-10 year olds.
Jump rope and hopscotch are meaningful games for children to use to gain hopping skills as they promote the building of strength in the lower limbs and they allow for practice with the fundamental movment skill, but are enjoyable as well. Because these games are fun, the children will be more likely to return to them and further improve their skills. Both jump rope and hopscotch provide a physical benefit to the children, but they also allow for creativity. As previously stated, hopscotch allows the child to create their own diagram in any form they would like. Similarly, when playing with a jump rope, the child is free to explore new techniques.
Summary
The fundamental movement skill of hopping involves propelling the body upwards by taking off and landing with the same foot (Holm et al., 2009). It helps children establish body awareness and involves balance, coordination, muscle strength, and timing (Bredin, 2020). Some structural constraints include having a higher centre of gravity, muscle to weight ratio, and foot preference. Proper development of hopping can influence a child’s future gross motor skill development of complex movements, sports participation, and lifestyle habits (Foweather et al., 2015). Inactivity leads to delayed motor acquisition and undeveloped fundamental skills like hopping (Stagnitti et al., 2011). Some activities that may improve hopping include Hopscotch and Jump Rope with hopping adaptations.
References
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Bredin, S. (2020, October 5). Module Four Study Guide: Developing Fundamentals of Movement [PDF file]. Canvas. http://canvas.ubc.ca/
Burch, K. (2020). 5 health benefits of jumping rope and helpful tips for beginners from celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels. Retrieved 6 November 2020, from https://www.insider.com/benefits-of-jumping-rope
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O'Neil Bellomo, R. (2020). How To Play Hopscotch: Learn the Basic Rules and Five Variations. Retrieved 6 November 2020, from https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/hopscotch/
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