Run to Where My Fabric Lands
Each child tosses a light fabric up, watches it float down and runs to catch it before or as it touches the floor. The whole body gets moving while children practice tracking a slowly falling object with their eyes.
How to play
- Everyone takes a fabric, scrunches it into a ball and opens it: a cloud is born! (1 min).
- We toss the fabric up and watch it fall without moving, to see how it dances (1 min).
- Now we toss it and run to catch it in the air or wherever it lands, again and again (2 min).
- We toss it and stand underneath so it lands on our head like a hat (1 min).
- Finally we let it drop to the floor and lie on top, flat and still like an ironed sheet (1 min).
Rules
- Everyone runs after their own fabric.
- We look up, but we also watch friends so we don't bump.
- If someone else's fabric lands near you, give it back.
Variations
Easier
With 3-year-olds, toss it just a little high, and picking it up from the floor counts.
Standard
With 4-year-olds, try to catch it before it touches the floor.
Harder
With 5-year-olds, clap or spin before catching it.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child tosses from the wheelchair and a classmate brings the fabric back if it drifts away.
- Autism: the child may use a favorite color and play in a less crowded area.
- Visual impairment: use a bright fabric with a bell sewn into one corner.
Learning goals
- Warm up with short runs and changes of direction.
- Track a slowly falling object with the eyes.
- Control one's body in a shared space.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Light fabric pieces: 25
Teacher tip
Chiffon scarves or large light cloths fall slowly and give everyone time. Spread children out before starting; bumps happen when everyone is looking up.
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