Ampe: Jump, Clap, Foot Forward

A simple version of ampe, a jumping and clapping game from Ghana: we jump, clap and land with one foot forward, first with the teacher and then with a partner. Children practice coordinating a jump with a clap and using their left and right sides.

How to play

1. Standing facing the teacher, we learn that many kids in Ghana play ampe by jumping at the same time. Practice jumping in place with a clap overhead (1 min).
2. Add the ending: jump, clap and land with one foot forward. The teacher sets the beat: "One, two... ampe!" (1 min).
3. Copycat time: the teacher jumps and lands with one foot forward; everyone tries to land with the same foot (2 min).
4. In pairs, facing each other, jump together on "One, two... ampe!" and check: did we put out the same foot or different feet? (1 min).
5. Finish with three super slow ampes and one big jump with arms up high (1 min).

Rules

• We all jump together on "ampe!"
• Land softly with bent knees.
• No winners: just look at your feet and laugh.
• Give your partner room so you don't bump.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: children who can't jump clap and push one hand or foot forward from their chair on "ampe!"
• Hearing impairment: also signal "ampe!" by dropping both arms down sharply.
• Less coordination: break it into two steps, clap first and then foot forward without jumping.

Learning goals

• Coordinate a jump with a clap.
• Put the right or left foot forward on purpose.
• Learn about a traditional game from Ghana.

Teacher tip

Turn your back to the class when you show which foot goes forward so the mirror image doesn't confuse them. The usual mistake is landing with stiff legs; remind them to "land like a cat."

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