Lily Pond and the Heron
Hoops are lily pads in a pond and kids are little frogs jumping from one to another with feet together. When the heron arrives, everyone takes shelter on a shared lily pad. Kids work on jumping and reacting to a signal.
How to play
- Spread 15 hoops on the floor (lily pads) and, on one side, two low foam blocks with a mat in front (the rock to jump into the water).
- Squatting like frogs, show the jump: feet together, arms back and "hop!" landing with bent knees (1 min).
- Frogs hop around the pond: in and out of hoops and from pad to pad, staying out of the water if they can (3 min).
- Whenever they like, they go to the rock, climb up and two-foot jump onto the mat: "Into the water!" Then back to the pond (3 min).
- Loud tambourine: "Here comes the heron!" Every frog gets inside a hoop, even three in one, and freezes. You, the heron, walk slowly around. Repeat 4 times (3 min).
- Finish: the frogs go to sleep inside their lily pad, lying down and breathing slowly (2 min).
Rules
- Jump with feet together and land with bent knees.
- One at a time on the rock.
- A lily pad holds everyone who fits: nobody is left out.
- The heron only looks, it never catches anyone.
Variations
Easier
Hoops very close together, and the rock is one block or kids jump from the floor.
Standard
Hoops one step apart and a one-block rock.
Harder
Hoops farther apart, and frogs hop on one foot now and then.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child moves hoop to hoop their own way and the heron helps find a shelter nearby.
- Hearing impairment: the heron arrives by raising arms as a visual signal.
- More skilled: long jumps between distant hoops; less skilled: jump in and out of the same hoop.
Learning goals
- Jump with feet together and land with control.
- React to a sound signal.
- Share space with others.
Equipment for a class of 25
- hoops: 15
- foam blocks: 2
- mats: 1
- tambourine: 1
Teacher tip
Use a heron voice and posture: the slow walk builds excitement without fear. Check that the hoops don't slide on the floor before starting.
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