Mama Kangaroo and Her Joey

In pairs, one child is the mama or papa kangaroo and the other is the joey, who follows behind copying every animal move. When the tambourine sounds, they switch. It builds peer imitation, attention to a partner and trust.

How to play

1. The teacher makes pairs, spread out around the playground, one child behind the other. Say: "The one in front is Mama Kangaroo. The one behind is the joey and does the same thing."
2. With one child, the teacher models: three kangaroo hops, and the joey copies one step behind.
3. A minute and a half: mama kangaroos hop, walk and stop; joeys copy.
4. Call out other animals for mama to choose: "Now Mama is a duck... a bear... a cat!" The joey copies. A minute and a half.
5. Tambourine hit: switch roles. The joey moves to the front and becomes mama. Play another three minutes.
6. At the end, pairs give a kangaroo hug: one in front, hugged from behind, and they do three little hops together.

Rules

• The joey stays behind and never pushes mama.
• Mama goes slowly so the joey can copy.
• Pairs don't bump other pairs.
• On the tambourine, everyone stops and switches.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child is mama in their wheelchair and the joey copies the arm moves.
• Autism or shyness: always pair the child with the same trusted classmate or with the teacher.
• More skilled joeys copy at the same time like a shadow; less skilled pairs repeat each move many times.

Learning goals

• Copy a partner's movements.
• Come up with moves for someone else to copy.
• Cooperate in pairs and take turns leading.

Equipment for a class of 25

• tambourine: 1

Teacher tip

Make the pairs yourself to save time, and pair kids who need support with a calm buddy. Use the tambourine for the switch so everyone understands.

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