The Hummingbird Sips from the Flowers
Children are hummingbirds flapping their wings super fast and flying from flower to flower by the color the teacher calls. It warms up the whole body and practices running with stops.
How to play
- The teacher explains that the hummingbird is so small and fast its wings hum: we practice flapping with short, quick arms and say "zzz" (1 min).
- Colored hoops spread on the floor are flowers; with music on, we flap and fly between them without stepping on them (2 min).
- When the music stops, the teacher calls a color and the hummingbirds fly to a flower of that color, hover on tiptoes flapping, and bend down to sip nectar (2 min).
- If several hummingbirds reach the same flower, they share it: everyone fits by putting one foot inside (1 min).
- Night falls: wings flap slower and slower, and each hummingbird lands by its flower and stays still (1 min).
Rules
- We fly around the flowers, not on them.
- If a flower is full, we share it.
- When the music stops, we listen for the color.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only two hoop colors, and the teacher flies along pointing to the flower.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use four colors and flap on tiptoes while sipping.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the teacher calls two colors in a row and the hummingbird sips at both before flying again.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair picks a flower by pointing or moving close and flaps with the arms; leave space between hoops to roll through.
- Visual impairment: use high-contrast hoops and have a buddy fly alongside holding hands.
- Hearing impairment: hold up a color card or scarf instead of saying the color.
Learning goals
- Run with changes of pace and stops.
- Recognize colors and respond to the cue.
- Share space with classmates.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Hoops: 15
- Music
Teacher tip
Spread the hoops well apart so no one trips. At first they run with still arms, so remind them a hummingbird never stops flapping.
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