Little Birds Fly Back to the Nest
Kids are little birds who fly around the playground, peck and perch; when the teacher calls rain, they fly to a hoop nest and share it. Each time there are fewer nests and more birds together, but nobody is ever left out. It builds locomotion, reaction and cooperation.
How to play
- Beforehand, scatter ten hoops around the playground as nests. Birds start two to a nest, crouching inside.
- Cue "The sun's out, fly!": everyone leaves the nest and flies around flapping their arms like wings, without bumping. One minute.
- Cue "Time to peck!": crouch and peck the ground with your fingers. "Time to drink!": head down and up. Mix with flying for a minute and a half.
- Cue "It's raining!": every bird flies to any nest and crouches with a classmate. Count to five together.
- While they fly again, the teacher removes two nests. Now three fit in each and everyone has to make room. Repeat three or four times over three minutes.
- Finish: leave one big hoop or three together, and all the birds cuddle around it with one hand inside, chirping "tweet, tweet" very softly.
Rules
- There's always room for one more in the nest: nobody is left out.
- Fly with open arms and look so you don't bump.
- No pushing to get into a nest.
- When you peck, only touch the ground.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, don't remove any nests; every bird has its own.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, remove nests little by little down to three per hoop.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, when it pours, go to the nest hopping on one foot or walking backward.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: put that child's nest close by and have others come share it.
- Visual impairment: fly holding a buddy's hand while the teacher shakes a tambourine by a nest.
- More skilled kids fly on tiptoes or hop; less skilled kids fly at a slow walk.
Learning goals
- Travel through space imitating bird flight.
- React to cues by finding a space.
- Share space and help everyone fit.
Equipment for a class of 25
- hoops: 10
Teacher tip
Celebrate every full nest: "What a cozy nest!" That way, removing hoops feels like a team challenge, not losing.
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