My Feet Draw Under the Table

Sitting in their chairs, children draw lines, circles and waves with their feet on the floor while their hands draw the same shapes on the table. A calm coordination and laterality game, perfect for days when you can't go outside.

How to play

1. Sit toward the front of the chair, barefoot or in sneakers, with both feet on the floor (1 min).
2. The right foot draws a long line forward and back on the floor, then the left foot does the same (2 min).
3. The feet draw circles and waves on the floor, first one at a time and then both together (2 min).
4. Add the hands: a finger draws on the table the same shape as the foot on the same side, right hand with right foot (2 min).
5. Draw a sun with your hand on the table and your foot on the floor at the same time: a circle and lots of rays (2 min).
6. Guessing game: the teacher draws a shape with a foot in front of everyone and the class guesses what it is (1 min).

Rules

• Your bottom stays on the chair.
• Watch the teacher first, then draw.
• Your feet draw on your own patch of floor, not your neighbor's.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited leg mobility: draw with the hands only, plus the nose as a pencil.
• Visual impairment: the teacher guides the foot the first time, then describes the shape in words (“one long line”).
• Autism: put a sticker on the right shoe and the right hand so the child sees which side goes together.

Learning goals

• Coordinate the hand and foot on the same side.
• Tell the right and left sides of the body apart.
• Control fine movements of the feet.

Teacher tip

A colored sticker on the right hand and right foot saves a lot of explaining. Model with your back to the class at first, since mirroring confuses little ones about sides.

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