Lizards Crossing the Wall

With feet on the first rung, children move sideways along the wall bars like lizards, from one end to a stuffed animal waiting at the other. It practices moving sideways while holding on, coordination and confidence.

How to play

1. The teacher lays mats along the wall bars and puts a stuffed "lizard friend" at the end of the route (2 min).
2. Demo: feet on the first rung, hands at chest height; move hand, foot, hand, foot to the side (2 min).
3. In turns of two or three, they cross a short section to the stuffed animal and get down feet first (5 min).
4. We cross back the other way to take the stuffed animal home (3 min).
5. The lizards lie on the mats and sunbathe (2 min).

Rules

• Feet only on the first rung.
• One hand and one foot move, the others keep holding on.
• I wait for the lizard ahead to move before I start.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: moves sideways standing on the floor, holding a higher rung.
• Visual impairment: the adult says "hand", "foot" and taps the next rung.
• Less strength: can step down to rest halfway and climb back on.

Learning goals

• Move sideways while holding onto the wall bars.
• Coordinate hands and feet in sequence.
• Build confidence on the wall bars at a very low height.

Equipment for a class of 25

• espaldera: 1
• colchonetas: 6
• peluches: 3

Teacher tip

The height is minimal, so the challenge is coordination; still, always keep an adult beside whoever is crossing. Lots of short turns beat one long waiting line.

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