Statues on the Bridge

While music plays, kids walk across the bench bridges; when the music stops, they freeze like statues on top of the bench in the pose the teacher calls. It builds static balance on a narrow surface and responding to music.

How to play

1. We set the benches in a line or a square with mats around them and practice a statue on the floor (2 min).
2. The music plays and we walk across the bridges; when it stops, we freeze with feet together (2 min).
3. New statues: arms out wide, crouched like a rock, or a hand on our head (3 min).
4. Statues on one foot while counting to three; if a foot comes down, no problem, we try again (2 min).
5. Each child makes up a statue when the music stops, and everyone copies it at the next pause (3 min).

Rules

• With music we walk; without music, we're statues.
• One child per stretch of bridge.
• Nobody is out: if you wobble, you keep playing.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: they make the statues with their arms, sitting on the bench or in their wheelchair alongside.
• Hearing impairment: the adult holds up a red card when the music stops.
• Autism: announce the last song and keep the volume low.

Learning goals

• Hold static balance in different poses.
• Switch from moving to stillness with the music.
• Create and copy poses.

Equipment for a class of 25

• banco sueco: 4
• colchonetas: 8
• música

Teacher tip

Use instrumental music with clear pauses. With a big group, half cross the bridges while the other half make statues on the floor, then switch.

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