All-Fours Mirror

In pairs, one child moves on all fours (forward, backward, sideways, lifting a hand) and the other, facing them, copies like a mirror. Children crawl in every direction while paying close attention to a partner.

How to play

1. The teacher gets on all fours facing a child and asks them to copy (2 min).
2. In pairs, face to face on all fours: one leads and the other is the mirror (2 min).
3. With music, the leader moves forward, back, and sideways slowly; the mirror copies (3 min).
4. Add gestures: lift a hand, a leg, shake the head (2 min).
5. Switch roles: the mirror becomes the leader (2 min).
6. Both sides of the mirror lie down and stretch at the same time (1 min).

Rules

• The leader goes slowly so the mirror can copy.
• The mirror watches their partner the whole time.
• We move without touching.
• Everyone gets to lead once.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the pair mirrors with arms on a table, copying movements with their hands.
• Blind or low vision: partners stay side by side, touching shoulders, and the leader says out loud what they're doing.
• Autism: the child mirrors the teacher, a familiar person, before working with a classmate.

Learning goals

• Move on all fours in every direction.
• Copy another person's movements.
• Keep attention on a partner.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Music

Teacher tip

Use slow instrumental music. Leaders tend to go too fast: "Slow motion, this mirror is very old!"

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