Submarine Trip to the Coral Reef
An underwater movement story: each child is a little submarine that dives, belly-crawls between rocks, goes through a cave and collects pearls from the sea floor. Kids practice army crawling, crawling on hands and knees and body control on the floor.
How to play
- Before class, lay hoops flat on the floor (rocks), set up the tunnel (cave), scatter the balls (pearls) and put two buckets (treasure chests) in a corner.
- Standing circle (2 min): 'We're submarines. Close the hatch!' Kids squat hugging their knees. 'Periscope up!' One arm up. 'Dive!' Everyone lies on their tummy.
- Swim along the bottom (3 min): belly-crawl without touching the rocks. On a clap: 'A whale is passing!' and everyone stays very still.
- The dark cave (4 min): crawl through the tunnel one at a time; anyone not in the tunnel keeps crawling around the rocks.
- The pearls (4 min): 'Every submarine takes one pearl to the chest.' Pick up a ball, crawl it to a bucket and go back for another until they're all collected.
- Back to the surface (2 min): slowly stand up, open the hatch by stretching up tall and wave hello to the sun.
Rules
- One at a time in the tunnel, no pushing.
- Look ahead while crawling so you don't bump anyone.
- Carry one pearl at a time.
- When you hear the whale, freeze.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, they may crawl on hands and knees the whole time.
Standard
Mix belly-crawling and hands-and-knees crawling by story part.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, carry the pearl on their back while crawling.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: be the lighthouse on the side guiding with a hand, or collect pearls within reach.
- Visual impairment: a guide rope to the tunnel and brightly colored or jingling balls.
- More skilled kids belly-crawl through the cave; for less skilled kids, the teacher holds the tunnel open.
Learning goals
- Travel by belly-crawling and crawling with coordination.
- Move around the space while avoiding obstacles.
- Take turns going through the tunnel.
Equipment for a class of 25
- crawl tunnel: 1
- hoops: 10
- soft balls: 20
- buckets: 2
Teacher tip
Demonstrate every move yourself on the floor; they copy right away. Set up the room before they come in so the magic isn't lost.
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