The Frog Jumps onto the Mat

Crouching like frogs, children jump with both feet together from a line and land on a mat, where they drop a beanbag to mark their jump and try to go a little farther. It is athletics through play: a first long jump where each child only compares themselves with themselves.

How to play

1. The teacher lines up mats and draws a chalk starting line one step from each; then shows the frog: crouch, arms back and jump forward! (2 min).
2. Free frog jumps around the space with no mats, croaking with each jump (2 min).
3. Short turns at each mat: jump from the line, land on both feet and freeze like a frog (4 min).
4. We drop our beanbag where we landed and on the next jump try to go just past it (4 min).
5. Each child picks up their beanbag and we stretch our frog legs sitting down (2 min).

Rules

• I jump with both feet together and land on both.
• One child at a time jumps onto the mat.
• My beanbag is my mark: I only compare with myself.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: an arm "jump" from the wheelchair, tossing the beanbag onto the mat as their own mark.
• Visual impairment: the teacher holds the child's hand on the first jump and claps to show where the mat is.
• Less balance: landing on the knees on the mat is fine; what matters is taking off with both feet.

Learning goals

• Jump forward with both feet together.
• Land with balance and safety.
• Set a goal to beat your own mark.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Mats: 4
• Beanbags: 25
• Chalk: 1

Teacher tip

Use non-slip mats and an adult at each one if possible. The typical mistake is taking off with one foot in front, so repeat the crouched frog with feet together before each jump.

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