Call My Jump, Land on the Mat

Children climb onto a low foam step or a bench, announce their jump out loud (“Frog jump!”, “Star jump!”, “Cannonball!”) and jump onto the thick mats, freezing in their landing pose. They love the flight and the fall while working on jumping, landing and planning ahead.

How to play

1. We set up two jump stations, a low foam step and a bench, each with thick mats in front; the teacher stands by the bench (2 min).
2. We jump off with feet together and land sitting or standing on the mat (3 min).
3. Before jumping, we call out our jump (frog, star, cannonball or parachuter) and do it (4 min).
4. When we land, we freeze like a photo of our jump and the group says “Click!” (3 min).
5. Each child invents a new jump with a name and the others try it (2 min).

Rules

• One at a time on the bench, and jump only when the mat is clear.
• We always jump forward, never backward.
• After jumping, we get off the mat to the side.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: with help, the child slides seated from the step onto the mat, announcing their “slide.”
• Autism: the child may always do the same jump from the low step.
• Visual impairment: the teacher holds the child's hand on the jump and counts “One, two, three” first.

Learning goals

• Jump down from a small height with a two-foot takeoff.
• Land with control and hold a pose.
• Plan and say the action out loud before doing it.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Low gym bench: 1
• Thick mats: 3
• Low foam step: 1

Teacher tip

The bench should never be higher than a child's knee, and an adult always stands beside it. Calling the jump out loud slows down impulsive kids because they have to think before they leap.

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