Ball, Rope, Hoop Activities (Perceptual Motor Development)

BOOK 2: BALL, ROPE, HOOP ACTIVITIES
This book is divided into 3 Parts: PART 1--BALL ACTIVITIES; PART 2--ROPE ACTIVITIES; and Part 3--HOOP ACTIVITIES. The book consists of 53 pages and all the activities are sequenced according to difficulty.

PART 1 introduces the students to BALL ACTIVITIES which utilizes a ball which is a marvelous piece of equipment for children. It is the most commonly used equipment in physical education programs as well as in natural play experiences. Its versatility allows it to be manipulated in so many ways. It can be bounced, thrown, rolled, kicked, butted and socked. From infancy, children are eager to be challenged by that round elusive object--the ball. It promises excellent opportunities for developing hand-eye coordination and visual tracking skills necessary for general academic achievement.

PART 2 introduces the students to ROPE ACTIVITIES which, as traditionally used in the school physical education programs, serve a rather limited purpose. Their use is confined primarily to rope turning and jumping tasks. Using the rope in movement exploration and perceptual-motor programs affords children the opportunity to explore the physical properties of the rope. The tactile sensation of the rope enhances their language development. They are encouraged to feel the rope, to describe it and to discover what can be done with it. It provides maximum enjoyment and many opportunities for creative expression.

PART 3 introduces the students to HOOP ACTIVITIES because the hoop is a highly adaptable teaching tool. It can be manipulated in a variety of challenging ways and has appeal to children of all ages. It is durable, inexpensive and safe. These characteristics make it one of the most popular pieces of equipment used in movement exploration and perceptual-motor programs. Throughout the tasks, the total involvement of each child is necessary for success.

Jack Capon was known nationally and internationally for his practical application of Movement Education to the classroom environment. By means of his numerous workshops that he conducted throughout the world, Jack Capon has shown how teachers and others interested in Movement Education can start their own successful programs.

Jack Capon was active in Movement Education from the early 1960's right on up to the mid 1990's when, by an ironic twist of fate, he was forced into early retirement by the onslaught of a rare neurological disorder called Striatonigral Degeneration. In the early stages this disorder mimics the symptoms of Parkinson's disease but later on as it kills off more and more brain cells it forces its host into paraplegic-like conditions. And finally, after several years of deteriorating health, Jack passed away in the summer of 1999 soon after the publication of the newest edition of his Perceptual-Motor Lesson Plans, Level-2 book. But Jack's legacy lives on and thanks to Jack's many workshops over the years and to the continuing great success of his programs, many people have been trained in the Jack Capon method and are quite skilled in advising any of those who are interested in starting, restarting, or continuing his Movement Education programs. People who have been trained in the Jack Capon method and who are willing to offer their advice and assistance are available from the publisher, Front Row Experience. Also available from the publisher, are training videos for teachers and instructors that show Jack's program in action for themselves!

Jack Capon was not only a great Movement Educator, but a great human being as well, as witnessed by his 25 years of volunteering to direct the Special Olympics Program for his local town of Alamda, California. Although Jack is no longer here with his energy and enthusiasm for Movement Education, his Perceptual-Motor Development Programs lives on and continues to provide valuable help in developing the movement coordination skills necessary for the healthy development of children everywhere.

Jack Capon, by means of his numerous workshops that he conducted throughout the world, has shown how teachers and others interested in Movement Education can start their own successful programs. It's been told that the original founder of the nationwide and now worldwide chain of Gymboree fitness centers for kids got her inspiration and many of her ideas from observing Jack Capon's programs in action and in attending many of his early workshops. The fact that you can start a business using Jack Capon-like activities for kids is further testament to the obvious that his programs do work and give a valuable boost to the development of any child in the early childhood years.

Jack Capon was active in Movement Education from the early 1960's right on up to the mid 1990's when, by an ironic twist of fate, he was forced into early retirement by the onslaught of a rare neurological disorder called Striatonigral Degeneration. And finally after several years of deteriorating health, Jack passed away in the summer of 1999.

Jack Capon has authored numerous Movement Education books over the years. He has been a consultant to several films and videos on Movement Education and he has produced many record/cassette/CD albums on musical Movement Education activities. Jack Capon, who spent nearly his entire professional career as the Coordinator For Physical Education in the Alameda City School District, Alameda, California, has been appointed to many positions and given many awards and honors over the years recognizing his great achievements in Movement Education and his unselfish volunteer work in his community. From 1968 to 72 he served on the Perceptual-Motor Task Force of the American Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). He was elected National Chairman of the Elementary Physical Education section of AAHPERD in 1972. The California Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (CAHPERD) presented him with their State Honor Award in 1978. Around that time AAHPERD presented him with the City and County Director's Honor Award. In 1982 the California Association of School Administrators (ACSA) selected him as the "outstanding Administrator of the Year." He served as the volunteer Director of the Special Olympics Program for 25 years for the town of Alameda, California where he lived and worked. The local Channel 4 TV station in his area honored him in 1992 with it's annual "For Those Who Care" award. The City of Alameda, California, gave him the Citizen of the Year Award in 1993. San Jose State University's College of Applied Arts and Science, San Jose, California, gave him its Distinguished Alumni Award in 1995. Jack Capon was not only a great Movement Educator, but a great human being as well. Although Jack is no longer here with his energy and enthusiasm for Movement Education, his Perceptual-Motor Development Programs live on and continue to provide valuable help in developing the movement coordination skills necessary for the healthy development of children everywhere.