Four-Season Trees

Children are trees living through the four seasons: bare and still in winter, a flower in the hand in spring, a fruit on the head in summer, and in fall they let go of a leaf without moving. It works on static balance in a sustained pose with changing objects.

How to play

1. We're seeds in the ground, slowly growing into a standing tree with feet like roots (2 min).
2. Winter: still trunk, feet together, and arms pressed to the body because it's cold (2 min).
3. Spring: the teacher puts a flower (scarf) in one hand and the branches slowly open without dropping it (3 min).
4. Summer: the teacher puts a fruit (bean bag) on the head, and the tree holds still with its flower and fruit (3 min).
5. Fall: the tree lets go of its leaf (scarf) and watches it drop without moving its feet; older kids do it on one foot (2 min).
6. We gather the leaves and fruit from the ground and bring them to the gardener's basket (2 min).

Rules

• My roots stay in place.
• Branches move slowly, like in a breeze.
• If the fruit falls, I put it back.
• Every tree has its own spot in the forest.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the tree is done seated; the arms are branches and the fruit sits on the head or lap.
• Visual impairment: announce each season with a different sound (wind, birds, crickets, crunchy leaves).
• Autistic children: show the four season cards in order beforehand so they know what's coming.

Learning goals

• Hold a balance pose for a longer time.
• Keep objects on different body parts without losing the pose.
• Express seasonal changes through the body.

Equipment for a class of 25

• scarves: 25
• bean bags: 25

Teacher tip

Walk around placing flowers and fruit while the others hold their pose: the balance time stretches out without anyone noticing. Sheer chiffon scarves fall slowly and are perfect for fall.

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