Bug Traffic Light
Depending on the color the teacher shows, little bugs crawl (green), slither on their bellies (yellow), or curl into a ball (red). They warm up by switching between different ways of moving on the floor.
How to play
- We introduce the traffic light: green, a crawling bug; yellow, a slithering worm; red, a roly-poly ball (1 min).
- We try each color together in place (1 min).
- We move around the room and switch with the card the teacher holds up (2 min).
- One child becomes the traffic light and the others follow (1 min).
- A long red light: roly-poly bugs breathing slowly (1 min).
Rules
- I look at the color to know how to move.
- Green, hands and knees; yellow, belly on the floor; red, I curl into a ball.
- I stay in my space and don't crawl over other bugs.
- When I'm the traffic light, I change colors slowly.
Variations
Easier
Age 3: only green and red, and the teacher says the color out loud.
Standard
Age 4: all three colors with no words, just the card.
Harder
Age 5: add a fourth card (blue): crawl backward on all fours.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child answers each color with a gesture (arms up, hands down, hug yourself).
- Blind or low vision: pair each color with a different sound (clap, whistle, drum).
- Autism: give the child a small card with the three pictures to check anytime.
Learning goals
- Warm up with different ways of moving on the floor.
- Link colors to movements.
- Switch movements quickly.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Colored cardstock: 3
Teacher tip
Use big cards and hold them high; kids on their bellies can't see up high, so crouch a little when you show them.
PatioLab has "Bug Traffic Light" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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