Slow Motion, Fast Forward and Pause!
The teacher holds a pretend TV remote and the children are the movie characters: in “slow motion” they move very slowly, in “fast forward” they move quickly, at “pause” they freeze and at “rewind” they walk backward. It works on speed control and listening to directions.
How to play
- The teacher shows the pretend remote and its buttons: “play,” we walk normally; “pause,” we freeze (1 min).
- Add “slow motion”: walk and move our arms very, very slowly; even our faces move slowly (1 min).
- Add “fast forward”: jog with quick little steps and cartoon moves (1 min).
- Add “rewind”: walk backward carefully, looking over our shoulder (1 min).
- The teacher presses the buttons by surprise, and the movie ends on “pause” with a final photo pose (2 min).
Rules
- On “pause,” not even a finger moves.
- Go backward slowly and look where you're going.
- Move through the open spaces without bumping.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, only “play,” “pause” and “slow motion,” with the teacher moving too.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, all five buttons mixed up.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, a child holds the remote and the movie has a theme (pirates, astronauts): actions go at whatever speed they call.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the buttons apply to the arms and to moving in the wheelchair, skipping rewind if it isn't safe.
- Hearing impairment: each button has a hand sign (open palm for pause, rolling hand for rewind).
- Visual impairment: skip “rewind” or do it holding a classmate's hand.
Learning goals
- Move at different speeds on purpose.
- Stop moving instantly.
- Move backward safely.
Teacher tip
Slow motion is the hardest and funniest part: ham it up with your face and voice. Save “rewind” until they've mastered pause, and keep the distance short.
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