Black Silhouettes to Copy

The teacher shows black silhouettes of children in different poses (on one foot, arms out, crouching), and children copy them with their bodies and hold still. It works on static balance and body posture awareness.

How to play

1. Show a black silhouette and ask: what is this child doing? Where are their arms? (2 min).
2. The whole group copies each silhouette the teacher holds up and stays still while counting to five (3 min).
3. Place the silhouettes around the walls or on the floor; everyone walks to one, copies it, and moves to another at the clap (3 min).
4. In pairs: one copies a silhouette and the other checks like a mirror whether it matches, looking at arms and legs (2 min).
5. Everyone invents a silhouette pose and the group copies it (2 min).

Rules

• First look carefully, then copy.
• Hold still until five.
• If you lose your balance, try again, no rush.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: seated silhouettes where only arms, head and trunk change.
• Visual impairment: large, high-contrast silhouettes on white, and a buddy who helps position their arms.
• Less balance: they can rest a hand on the wall or on a friend’s shoulder.

Learning goals

• Keep balance in different poses.
• Recreate an image with the body.
• Notice where arms and legs are.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Black paper silhouette cards: 10

Teacher tip

You can make the silhouettes by photographing children from your class against the light and cutting the figure out of black paper: they love guessing who it is. Show them large and at eye level.

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