How Many Are We? Count by Jumping

In a circle, each child pops up with a jump on their number so the whole group counts how many came today. It works on two-foot jumps, rhythm and group awareness at the start of class.

How to play

1. Kneel in a circle; the teacher asks: “How many of us are here today? Let's count by jumping” (1 min).
2. Starting on the teacher's right, each child jumps up saying the next number, “One!”, “Two!”, around the circle (2 min).
3. When everyone is standing, shout the final number together and tap the drum once for each friend who is absent (1 min).
4. Count back down, sitting down slowly one at a time (1 min).
5. To finish, everyone does one small jump for each absent friend and waves hello to them (1 min).

Rules

• Only the child with the number jumps.
• Jump straight up without bumping your neighbor.
• If someone gets stuck, we all say the number together to help.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: instead of jumping, the child raises both arms and says their number.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher points to whose turn it is and shows the number with fingers.
• Less coordination: the child can stand up holding a neighbor's hand instead of jumping.

Learning goals

• Jump with both feet from a crouch.
• Wait for a turn following the circle order.
• Notice how many people make up the group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Hand drum: 1

Teacher tip

Always start from the same side so kids learn the direction of the circle. If the count comes out wrong, don't correct it; just count again more slowly and let them discover it.

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