Skating Paper Plates
With a hand on top of a paper plate, children make it skate across the floor drawing paths, circles and figure eights to the music. It builds guiding the hand with the eyes and warming up from the floor.
How to play
- Kneeling, each child puts a palm on their plate and slides it back and forth as if wiping the floor (1 min).
- With the music on, the plate skates in big and small circles while we keep our eyes on it (1 min).
- The teacher draws a shape in the air (line, circle, zigzag) and we copy it with the plate on the floor (1 min).
- Put a plate under each hand and crawl-skate around the room; when the music stops, freeze like statues (2 min).
- Sitting, slide the plate very slowly around your body until it's back in front (1 min).
Rules
- My hand stays on the plate.
- Plates skate on the floor; they don't fly.
- When the music stops, I freeze.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, one plate only, with back-and-forth moves and big circles.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, copy simple shapes and try two plates.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, draw figure eights and the first letter of your name with the plate.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: skate the plate on a table or wheelchair tray.
- Hearing impairment: signal start and stop with a light or by holding a plate up high.
- More skilled children: put the plate under the non-dominant hand to draw the shape with it.
Learning goals
- Warm up arms, shoulders and wrists.
- Guide hand movement with the eyes.
- Match movement to the music and freeze on cue.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Paper plates: 25
- Music
Teacher tip
This works best on smooth floors like tile or wood, not carpet. Model with a big, brightly colored plate so everyone can see the shape.
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