My Chair Back Is a Ballet Barre

Standing behind their chair and holding the back like a ballet barre, children rise onto tiptoes, bend their knees and lift one leg. It warms up the legs and builds balance with a safe support.

How to play

1. Everyone stands behind their chair, pushed against the table so it can't move, with both hands on the back (1 min).
2. Rise onto tiptoes and lower slowly like ballet dancers, counting to three (1 min).
3. Bend the knees as if sitting on an invisible chair, then rise back up (1 min).
4. Lift one leg behind like a flamingo, then the other, still holding the chair back (1 min).
5. Let go with one hand, then both for a second, grab again and finish with a bow (1 min).

Rules

• The chair is against the table so it doesn't move.
• Hands go on the chair back, never on the seat.
• Slowly, like ballet.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: does the dancer's arm moves seated and presses their feet into the floor.
• Less balance: an adult stands alongside and the child does the flamingo with toes touching the floor.
• Autism: always count the same way (“One, two, three, up!”) so they know when things change.

Learning goals

• Warm up ankles, knees and hips.
• Improve balance with and without support.
• Control slow movements.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Chairs: 25

Teacher tip

Check that all four chair legs are on the floor and the chair is pushed against the table; if chairs are light, always keep a table in front. Kids never lean on the seat: with their weight on it the chair can tip over.

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