Peekaboo, Where's the Teacher?
The teacher hides behind a standing mat or under a sheet, first very close and then a bit farther away, and children go find them and always do. Children learn to trust that the adult doesn't vanish even when out of sight.
How to play
- Sitting in a circle, the teacher covers their face with their hands and says "Where am I?"; when they uncover, everyone shouts "Peekaboo!" (1 min).
- The teacher hides under the sheet in the middle of the circle; children crawl over, lift the sheet and find them (2 min).
- The teacher hides behind a standing mat near the group and sings "Peekaboo, peekaboo, can you find me? I'm right here!"; children follow the voice and find them (3 min).
- While children cover their eyes, the teacher moves to another mat a little farther away, and they go find them again (3 min).
- Now children hide under the big sheet and the teacher finds everyone with a big "Peekaboo!" (1 min).
Rules
- We look by walking or crawling, no running.
- When we find the teacher, we say "Peekaboo!"
- We lift the sheet carefully.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the teacher hides only under the sheet and lets a foot or hand peek out.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, the teacher uses two or three mats and sings so children find them by voice.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, another adult or a child hides with the teacher and both need to be found.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: put the hiding spot along the child's path so they can uncover it by pulling the sheet from the wheelchair.
- Visual impairment: the teacher keeps singing and clapping from the hiding spot so the child can locate them by sound.
- Autism: announce each hiding spot first ("Now I'm going behind the blue mat") so it isn't a surprise.
Learning goals
- Trust that the adult is still there even when out of sight.
- Locate a person by their voice.
- Move around the room walking and crawling.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Mats: 3
- Large fabric sheet: 1
Teacher tip
With children who cry at separation, don't hide completely; always leave part of yourself visible. Have another adult hold standing mats or lean them against the wall so they can't fall.
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