Clouds Up High, Grass Down Low
Children carry the parachute to different heights, from the clouds to the grass, moving their whole body: tiptoes, standing, kneeling and sitting. It works on high, middle and low levels and leg and trunk mobility.
How to play
- In a circle holding the fabric at tummy height, the teacher teaches three words: "clouds" means way up high, "trees" means chest height, "grass" means touching the ground (1 min).
- Practice slowly: on "clouds" we go up on tiptoes; on "grass" we squat and the fabric touches the ground (1 min).
- Add "trees" and mix all three words, a little faster each time (1 min).
- Do the heights kneeling and then sitting, and see how high the clouds can get (1 min).
- To finish, rise from the grass to the clouds in five steps, counting out loud together (1 min).
Rules
- We all go up and down together.
- Bend your knees to reach the grass.
- Never let go of the fabric.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only "clouds" and "grass," standing, and the teacher shows the movement before saying the word.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use all three heights, standing and kneeling.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, use all three heights in all three positions and let a child be the leader who calls the words.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child who can't squat shows the grass by lowering the arms and the clouds by stretching them; the change in height is what matters.
- Hearing impairment: each word has a hand signal (up, middle, down) and the teacher makes it big.
- Less coordination: place the child between two classmates who keep the rhythm well so they can follow the fabric.
Learning goals
- Tell high, middle and low levels apart.
- Move legs and trunk while changing height.
- Respond with the body to a key word.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Rainbow parachute: 1
Teacher tip
Say the word and wait a second before you move, so they watch the fabric instead of just copying you. Watch that they don't let go to lean on the floor when they squat.
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