The Cat Who Prowls the Lamppost

In pairs, one child is a still lamppost and the other is a cat who moves in front of, behind, to one side, to the other side, near and far from it. They build spatial concepts using a classmate as the reference point.

How to play

1. In pairs, one child is the lamppost (standing still, arms up) and the other is a cat strolling down the street (1 min).
2. The teacher calls where the cat goes: in front of the lamppost, behind it, on one side, on the other side; the cat crawls there and sits (4 min).
3. "The cat goes far away!": cats wander off meowing; "The cat comes back close!": they return to their lamppost and rub gently against its leg (3 min).
4. Switch roles and repeat the positions (4 min).
5. The lampposts flicker on and off (opening and closing hands) and the cats curl up to sleep at their feet (2 min).

Rules

• The lamppost doesn't move; it stays still.
• The cat crawls and doesn't push the lamppost.
• On "far," I wander off and come back to my own lamppost.
• We switch roles when the teacher says so.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child can be the lamppost in the wheelchair or a cat that rolls around the lamppost.
• Visual impairment: the cat keeps one hand on the lamppost while circling it.
• Hearing loss: the teacher shows each position with a doll and a cone so kids can copy it.

Learning goals

• Get in front of, behind, and beside a classmate.
• Tell near and far apart relative to another person.
• Take care of a partner while playing.

Teacher tip

Demonstrate with a child as the lamppost and exaggerate "behind": many kids stop beside instead. If crawling tires them out, let the cat tiptoe.

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