Inchworms Measure the Room

Like inchworms, children walk their hands forward until stretched out, then bring their feet up. They work on arm-leg coordination and compare distances in a playful way.

How to play

1. We show how an inchworm moves: stretch, scrunch; the teacher does it from standing, hands to the floor (2 min).
2. We try it in place: hands walk forward, feet walk up to the hands (2 min).
3. We stick colored tape on the floor; each inchworm counts how many "inchworm steps" it takes to reach the tape (3 min).
4. We measure things in the room: door to rug, table to window (3 min).
5. Tired inchworms lie down and stretch out really long (2 min).

Rules

• The inchworm moves by stretching and scrunching.
• Hands go first, and feet catch up.
• I count my inchworm steps quietly.
• Every inchworm measures at its own pace.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child measures with their hands on a table or with a stick, and marks numbers with big stickers.
• Blind or low vision: replace floor tape with ropes the child can feel.
• Less flexibility: they may bend their knees as much as they need.

Learning goals

• Coordinate arms and legs in a new way of moving.
• Stretch and scrunch the body with control.
• Compare distances by counting steps.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Colored tape: 1

Teacher tip

Demonstrate very slowly, saying "stretch... scrunch"; otherwise it turns into crawling. It's a great moment to talk about long and short.

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