A Bean Bag Hat

With a bean bag on their head like a hat, children go from sitting to kneeling to standing without it falling, and finish with a bow to catch it. It works on upright posture and static balance with an object on the head.

How to play

1. Sitting on the floor, everyone puts on their hat and finds the posture where it stays put: tall back, eyes forward (2 min).
2. We go from sitting to kneeling very slowly, hat on (2 min).
3. From kneeling to standing, first one foot and then the other, no rush (3 min).
4. Standing, we stay still like very fancy people, and anyone who wants rises onto tiptoes or lifts one foot (2 min).
5. The bow: we tip our head forward and catch the hat with both hands before it reaches the floor (2 min).
6. We put the hats back in the bin one by one (1 min).

Rules

• My hat sits on top of my head.
• My hands don't hold the hat.
• If it falls, I put it back on and keep going.
• I move slowly, like someone very fancy.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: play from the chair, leaning the trunk and turning the head slowly without the hat falling.
• Hearing impairment: each position change is cued with a teacher gesture and a drawing on the board.
• Children with touch sensitivity: the hat can go on the shoulder or palm instead of the head.

Learning goals

• Hold an upright posture with an object on the head.
• Change height in a controlled way.
• Coordinate head and hand movement to catch.

Equipment for a class of 25

• bean bags: 25

Teacher tip

Bean bags should be well sewn and light, with no loose beads. The typical mistake is tipping the chin up to keep it on; give them the image of "a string pulling the top of your head up to the ceiling."

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