Tall, Medium and Tiny Bridges

In pairs, children make bridges at three heights with their arms while classmates pass underneath walking, crouching or crawling depending on the height. It builds adjusting the body to space, and cooperation.

How to play

1. In pairs, facing each other with both hands joined, try the three bridges: tall with arms up, medium at chest height, and tiny on knees (2 min).
2. Half the pairs are bridges spread around the playground and the rest are travelers passing under by walking, crouching or crawling depending on the height (3 min).
3. The teacher calls "All tall!" or "All tiny!" and the bridges change together; travelers adjust (2 min).
4. Switch roles: travelers become bridges and bridges travel (3 min).
5. Line up all the bridges to make a super-long tunnel for the traveler train to go through (3 min).
6. Each bridge collapses very slowly and sits on the floor (1 min).

Rules

• The bridge keeps holding hands.
• I go under without touching the bridge.
• If the bridge is tiny, I crawl.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: from the wheelchair, the child makes a tall bridge with a standing partner; as a traveler, they go through the tall bridges.
• Visual impairment: the child crosses holding a buddy's hand, who says "duck down" or "crawl".
• Autism: give advance notice before switching roles and let the child start as a traveler, which involves less contact.

Learning goals

• Adapt posture to the height of the gap.
• Hold a steady pose with a partner.
• Cooperate so others can get through.

Teacher tip

For the tiny bridge, kids kneel holding hands at waist height, never on all fours with someone crawling under their body. Spread the bridges out well to avoid traffic jams.

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