Kick the Sleepy Ball at the Wall Monsters
Scary monsters are drawn on the wall, and children chase them away by kicking a stationary ball from its hoop "nest" at them. They practice kicking a still ball and aiming while playing with fear in a fun way.
How to play
- Look at the wall monsters and make a scared face, then a brave face (2 min).
- Everyone places their ball still inside a hoop facing the wall (2 min).
- One step, plant foot beside the ball and kick: go away, monster! (4 min).
- The teacher calls a color and we scare off the monster of that color (4 min).
- The monsters leave and we wave goodbye; collect the balls (2 min).
Rules
- The ball is asleep: it doesn't move until I kick it.
- I kick toward the wall, never toward friends.
- I get my ball once everyone has kicked.
- The monsters are pretend, and we scare them off together.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, hoops close to the wall and big monsters.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, hoops four steps back and monsters in different colors.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, kick with the less-used foot and use smaller monsters.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: hit the ball with a hand or a pool noodle from the wheelchair.
- Visual impairment: big, brightly colored monsters and the teacher claps next to the target.
- Fear or anxiety: friendly-faced monsters and let the child pick their own.
Learning goals
- Kick a stationary ball with the support foot well placed.
- Aim at a target.
- Express and manage fear through play.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Soft balls: 25
- Monster drawings: 8
- Masking tape: 1
- Hoops: 25
Teacher tip
Tape the drawings at the children's knee height so they aim low. Model placing the support foot beside the ball: that's what they find hardest.
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