Hedgehog Roll Down the Hill

Four- and five-year-olds learn the forward roll by rolling down a foam wedge, always with an adult beside them guiding the neck and hip. They practice turning forward in the hedgehog shape: chin to chest and body curled in a ball.

How to play

1. Set up two foam wedges with mats in front and at the sides, and the teacher shows a stuffed hedgehog curling into a ball (2 min).
2. Everyone practices "the hedgehog hides" on the floor: squatting, hands on the mat, chin to chest looking at the belly button (3 min).
3. On the wedge, each child squats at the top; the teacher places one hand on the back of the neck and one on the thigh and helps them roll downhill (5 min).
4. Children who've got it try with less help: the teacher just guides the hip (3 min).
5. Finish as sleeping hedgehogs: curled on the mat, rocking, then resting (2 min).

Rules

• We only roll with the teacher right there.
• Chin glued to the chest, always.
• Wait sitting in the hedgehog line.
• Our head doesn't push: our feet do.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: do the hedgehog ball and rocking seated or lying down with help, no roll.
• Autism: watch two friends first, count the steps out loud ("Hands, chin, push") and don't push it if the child says no.
• Fearful or less skilled children: side-roll down the wedge, then just try the starting shape at the top without turning over.

Learning goals

• Hold a tucked shape with the chin to the chest.
• Do an assisted forward roll on an incline.
• Trust the adult and handle the fear of turning over.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Foam wedge: 2
• Mats: 6
• Stuffed animal: 1

Teacher tip

Never let anyone roll without your hand on the back of the neck until they've mastered the shape: weight goes on the upper back, not the head. The typical mistake is landing on the top of the head, so keep repeating "Look at your belly button."

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