Cushion Island at High Tide

Kids stroll on the "beach" to music; when the teacher calls high tide, everyone climbs onto low islands of mats and cushions, then climbs down carefully at low tide. It practices getting up and down quickly but with control, and making room for others.

How to play

1. The teacher sets up three or four islands, two mats high with cushions on top (2 min).
2. With music, we walk along the beach looking for pretend seashells (2 min).
3. "High tide!": we climb onto the nearest island and make room for everyone (4 min).
4. "Low tide!": we climb down sitting or backward, feet first, and keep strolling (4 min).
5. Last tide: everyone on one big island, snuggled together, counting to ten (2 min).

Rules

• There's always room for one more on the island.
• I climb up without pushing and get down feet first.
• Nobody stays in the water: if there's no room, we squeeze in or help.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: their island is a mat on the floor and the others come to visit.
• Autism: can have their own fixed island and a heads-up before each tide.
• Hearing impairment: the tide comes in when the teacher raises a blue scarf.

Learning goals

• Climb onto soft surfaces quickly and with control.
• Get down safely without losing the flow of the game.
• Share space and help others.

Equipment for a class of 25

• colchonetas: 8
• cojines: 12
• música

Teacher tip

This isn't musical chairs: no island is ever removed and no one is out. Watch the way down; in the excitement they tend to dive off head first.

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