Row, Row, Row With the Rope

In pairs, kids sit facing each other with legs stretched out, holding a rope between them, and row slowly forward and back to a made-up song. Kids calm down, stretch their back and legs and share a rhythm.

How to play

1. In pairs, we sit facing each other with legs out and feet almost touching; we hold a folded rope between us (1 min).
2. We learn the song: "Row, row, rower, down the river slow, gently, gently, little fish sleep below" (1 min).
3. We row very slowly: one leans forward while the other leans back (2 min).
4. The river gets calm: we row slower and slower and sing more and more softly (1 min).
5. We let go of the rope, lie on our backs and float like a still boat (1 min).

Rules

• I hold the rope in my hands without wrapping it.
• I pull as gently as my partner does.
• If my friend says "Ouch!", I stop.
• We row to the song's beat, no rushing.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child rows from their wheelchair with the partner seated on a chair facing them.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher marks the beat with an arm moving forward and back.
• Autism: if contact or closeness is too much, the child rows alone with the rope tied to a table leg, without pulling hard.

Learning goals

• Lower heart rate with a slow, rhythmic movement.
• Stretch the back and legs.
• Match their strength to a partner's.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Jump ropes: 13

Teacher tip

The song is made up: keep the beat slow and the voice soft. The usual mistake is pulling hard and turning it into tug-of-war; demonstrate with another adult how one gives while the other pulls.

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