My Outline Strikes a New Pose
In pairs, each child lies on butcher paper while the partner traces their outline twice in two colors: once stretched out and once with elbows and knees bent. It builds body image and shows children what changes when joints bend.
How to play
- The teacher tapes strips of butcher paper to the floor, one per pair, and shows with a child how to trace an outline without pressing (2 min).
- The first child lies face up with arms and legs spread like a star, and the partner traces the outline with a crayon (4 min).
- Without getting up, the child bends an elbow and a knee (for example, hand on hip and foot out to the side) and the partner traces the new outline in another color on top (3 min).
- Switch roles on a fresh strip: the other child lies down and both outlines are traced again (6 min).
- Looking at the papers, find and point to the elbows, knees and shoulders in each drawing and what changed between the outlines (3 min).
Rules
- The child lying down stays still while being traced.
- The crayon stays close to the body, but no poking and never across the face.
- Each pair draws on its own paper without stepping on others'.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, trace a single stretched-out outline, done by the teacher, and the child colors in the hands, feet and head.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, trace two outlines per child and color in the parts that moved.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the child picks a pose from a card for the second outline and draws or writes labels on elbows, knees and shoulders.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: help the child lie on a mat with paper on top, or trace the upper body while seated against paper on the wall.
- Autism or touch sensitivity: explain where the crayon will go and let the child first trace a stuffed animal.
- Visual impairment: glue yarn over the outline so the child can follow it with their fingers.
Learning goals
- Draw the outline of one's own body.
- See how the body's shape changes when joints bend.
- Work with a partner carefully and patiently.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Butcher paper roll: 25
- Chunky crayons: 25
- Masking tape: 2
Teacher tip
Cut and tape the strips before the session so they don't slide. The typical mistake is tracing far from the body, so teach them to "stroke" the edge with the crayon. Hang the murals afterward; kids love finding themselves.
PatioLab has "My Outline Strikes a New Pose" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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