Mice Under, Cats on Top of the Bench

Children are mice who hide down low or cats who climb up on the bench, depending on the signal. They experience on top of, under, up, and down with their whole bodies, safely.

How to play

1. We set up three low benches with mats around them; the teacher shows how to climb on sitting or on all fours, and how to crawl under (if there's room) or along the side (2 min).
2. We move around as mice; on "Here comes the cat!" the mice hide under the benches or tucked low beside them (3 min).
3. Now we're cats: on "Here comes the dog!" the cats climb on top of the bench and sit up high (3 min).
4. Mix it up: a loud drum means cats up; a soft drum means mice down; each child picks which animal to be (4 min).
5. All the animals lie down on the mats beside the benches and rest (2 min).

Rules

• I get on the bench sitting or on all fours, never by jumping.
• Under the bench, I go slowly with my head down.
• Only a few fit on a bench: if it's full, I find another.
• I get off the bench sitting, feet first.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: "up" means raising arms above the head or putting an object on the tray, and "down" means lowering them to the floor.
• Visual impairment: always use the same bench, explore it by touch first, and keep an adult nearby.
• Hearing loss: the teacher points to the ceiling for up and to the floor for down.

Learning goals

• Experience on top of, under, up, and down with one's own body.
• Climb on and off with control and safety.
• Respond to a signal with a position.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Low gym benches: 3
• Mats: 6
• Hand drum: 1

Teacher tip

Make sure the benches are low and steady, surround them with mats, and stand by the busiest one. If the bench is too low to crawl under, lying flat right next to it counts.

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