The Hen's Golden Eggs

Using the fable of the goose that laid the golden eggs, told here with a hen, children carry balls on spoons or plates without dropping them, alone and in pairs. It builds hand-eye coordination, movement control and careful handling.

How to play

1. The teacher tells the fable of the hen that laid golden eggs. The hoops are nests, each filled with eggs (yellow balls) (2 min).
2. We're hens: we strut around the yard pecking and clucking, and sit on a nest to brood for a moment (2 min).
3. Each farmer picks up an egg with their spoon or plate and carries it carefully from one nest to another without touching it. If it falls, “A chick escaped!” and we pick it up (4 min).
4. In pairs, pass the egg from plate to plate without hands and carry it together to the nest, side by side (4 min).
5. All the hens return to their nests, sit on the eggs and fall asleep, clucking very softly (2 min).

Rules

• We carry the eggs without touching them with our hands.
• We walk slowly to take care of the eggs.
• If one drops, I pick it up and keep going, no rush.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: carry the egg on a plate on the lap or pass it to a friend who comes close.
• Visual impairment: use balls with a bell inside and nests that make a sound for orientation.
• Less confident movers: use a plate with a high rim or a small tray.

Learning goals

• Coordinate eyes and hands while carrying an object.
• Control walking speed.
• Work with a partner to pass an object.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Yellow balls: 25
• Big spoons or plastic plates: 25
• Hoops: 4

Teacher tip

Pick balls that don't roll much (foam) and big plastic spoons. Don't frame it as a race: the challenge is getting the egg there whole, not getting there first.

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