The Fruit Seller's Scale

With arms out like a scale and a bean-bag fruit on each palm, children stay still standing, on one foot, and kneeling while the fruit seller weighs the fruit. It works on static balance while holding a load on both arms.

How to play

1. We stretch our arms out to the sides like the fruit stand scale, and the teacher puts a fruit (bean bag) on each palm (2 min).
2. The scale is balanced: we stand still without dropping any fruit (2 min).
3. The fruit seller weighs more fruit: two bean bags on one hand and one on the other, and the scale holds (2 min).
4. One-foot scale: with a fruit in each hand, we lift one foot and count to three (3 min).
5. Kneeling scale: we lower down slowly with the fruit on our palms and hold (2 min).
6. We empty the scale by dropping each fruit into the baskets (2 min).

Rules

• My palms are open and flat, not gripping the fruit.
• The scale moves slowly.
• If a fruit falls, I pick it up and put it back.
• I wait for the fruit seller to give me the fruit.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the scale is done from the chair with arms out and trunk straight.
• Visual impairment: the teacher tells them aloud and taps their hand each time fruit is added or removed.
• Less arm strength: use scarves rolled into balls instead of bean bags, which are lighter.

Learning goals

• Hold static balance with a load on the arms.
• Adjust posture when weight shifts from side to side.
• Stay focused during a long, calm task.

Equipment for a class of 25

• bean bags: 50
• baskets: 2

Teacher tip

Arms out to the sides tire quickly at this age: let them rest their arms between steps. Name the fruits as you place them ("one pear, two apples") to build vocabulary at the same time.

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