Cross the Circle If You're Wearing…
Sitting in a circle at circle time, the teacher says “Cross the circle if you're wearing something red,” and those children cross the middle moving like a named animal to an open spot on the other side. Circle time gets moving, everyone stays alert, and each child decides whether the cue applies to them.
How to play
- Sit in a circle on the rug with a child-sized gap between each child; the teacher explains that we're going to switch places (2 min).
- First cues while walking: “Cross if you're wearing blue,” “Cross if you have a brother or sister”; go to the other side and sit (2 min).
- Now cross like animals: crawl like cats, hop like frogs or scoot like seals (2 min).
- Cues for things you can't see: “Cross if you had milk for breakfast,” “Cross if you like the rain” (2 min).
- A child becomes the teacher and calls out the cue and the animal, then joins the crossing group if it applies (2 min).
- Last cue: “Everyone crosses, like super-slow turtles,” and finish seated in the circle again (2 min).
Rules
- If the cue fits you, cross; if not, stay seated.
- Go slowly in the middle and watch out for others crossing.
- Find an empty spot; don't take anyone's place.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use colors and other things you can see, and everyone crosses walking.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, mix the cues and use different animals.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, use double cues (“Cross if you're wearing green and have long hair”) that take some thinking.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: save the child's spot; when it's their turn, they cross their own way or do the animal move in place.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher also holds up a color card or a picture of the cue.
- Autism: if changing seats is unsettling, the child can have their own sit-spot mat to carry when crossing.
Learning goals
- Listen to a cue and decide whether it applies.
- Move in different ways while looking out for others.
- Learn things about classmates.
Teacher tip
Leave open spots in the circle from the start so nobody is left without a place and there's no rushing. With 3-year-olds, cross along with the first groups.
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