The Caterpillar Crawls Along the Log

Lying on their tummies on the bench, kids are caterpillars that pull themselves along with their arms to the leaf at the end, where they turn into butterflies. It builds tummy crawling, arm strength and body control on a narrow surface.

How to play

1. The teacher sets up the benches with a mat on each side and a green fabric piece (the leaf) on the floor at the end of each one (2 min).
2. Demo: we sit at the start of the bench, lie down with our tummy on top and grab both edges with our hands (2 min).
3. First caterpillar trip: we move forward pulling with our arms, right hand then left hand, legs relaxed (3 min).
4. Second trip: now we pull with our arms and push with our toes (2 min).
5. At the leaf we slide off to the side, take a pretend bite and fly back to the line like butterflies (3 min).

Rules

• One caterpillar per stretch of bench: wait until the one ahead reaches the middle.
• Your tummy always stays on the bench.
• We get off sideways onto the mat, never head first.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: crawl on a mat on the floor alongside the bench, with an adult nearby.
• Visual impairment: before starting, explore the bench by touch, and the adult calls out "Almost at the leaf!"
• Autism: always use the same route and show caterpillar and butterfly pictures to preview the ending.

Learning goals

• Crawl on the tummy using arm strength.
• Keep the body centered on a narrow surface.
• Wait for a turn and keep space from the classmate ahead.

Equipment for a class of 25

• banco sueco: 3
• colchonetas: 6
• telas: 3

Teacher tip

One adult per bench, beside it, not in front. Many kids pop up onto hands and knees right away, so remind them: "Caterpillars don't have long legs; they hug the log."

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