Streamer Stuck to My Chest

Each child places a piece of streamer on their chest and discovers that if they run fast enough, the air holds it in place. It builds continuous running, changes of pace and the link between speed and what happens.

How to play

1. The teacher gives each child a piece of streamer about as long as their arm and asks, "Can it stick without glue?" (1 min).
2. We walk with the streamer on our chest and an open hand below it: it falls right off, oh no! (1 min).
3. We jog without holding it: the air sticks it to our tummy! If it falls, we pick it up and keep going (2 min).
4. We run in curves and zigzags, then slow down gently to see when it slides off (1 min).
5. We walk with the streamer hanging from our hand like a tail, breathing deeply (1 min).

Rules

• I run looking ahead, not at my streamer.
• If it falls, I pick it up and start again: no big deal.
• We all run the same way, like a river.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair carries it on their lap or chest while the adult pushes briskly along the track.
• Visual impairment: run holding a guide friend's hand along a straight, clear track.
• Autism: show first with the teacher how it sticks and let the child try alone, unhurried, off to the side.

Learning goals

• Run continuously while looking ahead.
• Discover that speed changes what happens.
• Get the body going at high intensity.

Equipment for a class of 25

• serpentinas de papel: 25

Teacher tip

Cut the pieces ahead of time; on a windy day it works less well, so use the most sheltered side of the yard. Set one running direction to avoid collisions, since kids keep looking at their streamers.

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