Puppies, Fetch the Ball!
The teacher rolls and tosses soft balls around the yard, and the children, playing puppies, run to fetch them and bring them back to the basket. It's a high-energy warm-up that builds reaction and attention to the ball's path.
How to play
- The puppies wait sitting next to the teacher, who has a basket full of balls (1 min).
- The teacher rolls the balls in every direction; each puppy runs after one, picks it up with their hands and brings it to the basket (2 min).
- Now the teacher tosses them up gently: puppies wait for the ball to land, follow it with their eyes and bring it back (2 min).
- The tired puppies lie down by the basket and pant like dogs, slowly, until they catch their breath (1 min).
- The puppies shake off like they just got out of the water, stretch their legs and sit next to the teacher (1 min).
Rules
- Go only once the ball is rolling.
- Bring back one ball at a time.
- Put it in the basket, don't throw it.
- Run watching out for the other puppies.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the teacher rolls just a few balls at a time, always along the ground.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, mix rolling and tossing, and puppies bring the ball back on all fours for the last few steps.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the teacher calls a color before tossing, and only children wearing that color go.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child is the puppies' owner next to the teacher, taking the balls they bring and dropping them in the basket.
- Visual impairment: use balls with a bell inside, and the child goes hand in hand with a classmate.
- Autism: if the running is overwhelming, the child is the guard dog at the basket and receives the balls.
Learning goals
- Raise the energy level with short runs.
- Track a moving ball with the eyes.
- Wait for the start signal.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soft balls: 25
- large basket: 1
Teacher tip
Roll the balls toward open areas, never toward the children coming back. The usual problem is everyone chasing the same ball: roll lots at once in different directions.
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