Rocking Eggs That Don't Crack

Sitting on a mat hugging their knees, children are eggs rocking back and forth with rounded backs. It's the first step toward rolling and forward rolls: chin to chest and curved back.

How to play

1. The teacher explains we're little eggs in a nest: sit, hug the knees and tuck the chin "so the shell doesn't crack" (1 min).
2. Rock a tiny bit back and forth, like a rocking chair (1 min).
3. Bigger rocks, until the back touches the mat, then come back up to sitting (1 min).
4. The egg rocks sideways: tip right and left without letting go of the knees (1 min).
5. The egg hatches! Let go of the knees, stretch the whole body and pop out like chicks (1 min).

Rules

• Chin always tucked to the chest.
• Hands don't let go of the knees.
• One egg per mat.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: rock the upper body forward and back while sitting in the chair, hugging themselves.
• Less skilled children: place a cushion behind the back so the rock stays short.
• Visual impairment: the first time, the teacher guides by placing hands on the child's back and chin.

Learning goals

• Hold a tucked position with a rounded back.
• Control rocking back and forth.
• Get the body ready to roll.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Mats: 12

Teacher tip

If the back is flat, the egg "cracks" and lands with a thud; say it that way and they correct themselves. Make sure the mat is long enough that the head lands on something soft.

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