Point at the Target with Your Elbow, Foot, and Nose

Children walk and jog around the room, and when the teacher names a "target" in the space (the door, the window, the tree), they freeze and point at it with the body part called out. They practice looking at and lining up with a target before throwing.

How to play

1. We walk around freely while the teacher shows today's targets: the door, the window, and the big trash can (1 min).
2. When we hear "Target: door!" we freeze and point at it with one finger, arm stretched out (1 min).
3. Now we point with other body parts: elbow, foot, knee, or nose (2 min).
4. We jog, and when a target is called we take three little steps toward it and point (1 min).
5. We finish walking slowly, pointing at the sky, the floor, and a friend with a smile (1 min).

Rules

• I stop before I point.
• My eyes look right at the target.
• I walk in the open spaces and don't bump.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child points from their chair by turning their upper body, and a buddy stops next to them.
• Hearing impairment: each target has a colored card taped to it and the teacher holds up a matching card.
• Autism: show photos of the targets before starting and keep the same targets every time.

Learning goals

• Turn the body toward a target.
• Name body parts and use them to point.
• Warm up gently before throwing games.

Teacher tip

Pick targets that can be seen from anywhere in the room. Model it big at first, with your whole body aimed. The common mistake is pointing while still moving, so keep saying "Feet still, now aim."

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