Over or Under?
A loop course with elastic rope bridges and low benches. Depending on the teacher's call, kids go over or under each obstacle. They practice the concepts of over and under, crawling, creeping on all fours and stepping over.
How to play
- Before class, set up a loop: four bridges of elastic cord tied to poles standing in cones at knee height, and two gym benches.
- Walk the course with the group behind you like a train and show them: “Over looks like this,” lifting your legs; “under looks like this,” crawling below the cord (2 min).
- Everyone spreads out on the course. Say “Over!” with arms up to the ceiling: kids step over the bridges and walk or crawl along the bench (3 min).
- Say “Under!” and point to the floor: they crawl under the cords; at the bench, they crawl on the floor beside it (3 min).
- Switch calls every 30 seconds. Then use only the gesture, so they have to watch (4 min).
- To finish, raise two cords to waist height and lower two; each child picks over or under and says it out loud (3 min).
Rules
- Always go the same way around, like cars at a traffic circle.
- If someone is going through, wait behind without touching them.
- Get on the bench slowly and get off sitting or on all fours.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, only low cord bridges, and you hold hands at the bench.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, switch over and under using voice and gesture.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, combine two calls: “over the cords and under at the bench.”
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: some bridges at head height to pass under in a wheelchair, and cords flat on the floor to cross over.
- Hearing: always use the arms-up or point-down gesture.
- Skill level: raise or lower the cords for each child; skilled kids jump over with feet together.
Learning goals
- Understand and use over and under in relation to an obstacle.
- Adjust the body to go over and under without touching.
- Follow the course direction and take turns at each obstacle.
Equipment for a class of 25
- elastic cords: 4
- cones: 8
- poles: 8
- gym bench: 2
Teacher tip
Set everything up before kids arrive and use elastic cord, which gives if someone bumps it. Stand by the benches, where they need the most help.
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