Kites Tied to the Teacher
Each child is a kite holding one end of a long ribbon while the teacher holds the other; they fly around the room as far as the ribbon reaches, and the teacher slowly reels them back in. Children practice moving away from the adult without losing contact and feel distance in a concrete way.
How to play
- The teacher sits in the middle holding several ribbons; each child in a small group takes the end of one (1 min).
- The kites fly close by: walk around the teacher with a loose ribbon, flapping arms like wings (2 min).
- The teacher lets out more ribbon and the kites fly farther, until the ribbon is stretched out (2 min).
- The teacher slowly reels the ribbon in, singing "Kite, little kite, come back to my hand," and the child walks back to them (2 min).
- The kites fly without the ribbon for a moment and come back on their own to take it when the teacher sings (2 min).
- The kites land by lying down next to the teacher (1 min).
Rules
- We hold the ribbon in our hand and never wrap it around our body.
- If the ribbon gets tight, I don't pull; I stop.
- When the teacher sings, I come back.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use groups of three, short ribbons, and reel in very slowly.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use groups of five and longer ribbons.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the teacher stands and walks slowly around the room with the kites trailing behind and around them.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: tie the ribbon loosely to the wheelchair with a knot that comes undone easily, and the teacher reels in by bringing the chair closer.
- Visual impairment: the ribbon becomes a guide back to the teacher by following its tension.
- Autism: if the child doesn't want to move away, they can fly sitting down, waving the ribbon from beside the teacher.
Learning goals
- Move away from the adult while keeping a physical connection.
- Feel near and far with the body.
- Return to the adult at a sung signal.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Long fabric ribbons: 6
Teacher tip
Use fabric ribbons about 6 feet long, never thin cords. The rest of the group can be ribbon-less kites with another adult while they wait for a turn.
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