A Smile Waits at the End of the Tunnel
Children crawl through a fabric tunnel, and when they come out the teacher is crouched there, calling their name and greeting them with a smile. It builds crawling, getting through a closed space without seeing the adult, and trust that they're on the other side.
How to play
- The teacher shows the tunnel: pokes their head in, waves from inside and comes out the other end (1 min).
- The teacher crouches at the end of the tunnel and calls a child by singing their name: "Pablo, Pablo, come to me" (1 min).
- Taking turns, each child crawls through while their name is sung, and high-fives the teacher on the way out (3 min).
- Now the teacher waits quietly at the end and the child shouts "I'm coming!" from inside (2 min).
- Cross the tunnel in pairs with a friend and come out together (2 min).
- Sit around the tunnel while the teacher describes the smile they saw on each face (1 min).
Rules
- We go into the tunnel one at a time, after the last child is out.
- Inside the tunnel we crawl.
- We wait for our turn sitting on the mat.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, shorten the tunnel (or lift the sides) so the child can see the teacher's face from inside.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use the full tunnel with the teacher singing the call.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the teacher stands a little away from the exit and the child has to find them when they come out.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child scoots through, or two adults hold up a sheet as a bridge to roll under in a wheelchair.
- Autism: let the child look in and reach a hand inside before entering; keep the tunnel short and never fully dark.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher peeks in from the far end so the child can see their face from the entrance.
Learning goals
- Crawl through an enclosed space.
- Trust that the adult is still there even when out of sight.
- Wait for a turn calmly.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Fabric tunnel: 1
- Mats: 2
Teacher tip
Don't rush a child who stops inside: talk to them and encourage them by name. Some little ones are scared of the tunnel; let them watch others go through and try another day.
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