The Lazy Jump Rope: Al Pasar la Barca
The teacher and another adult swing a long jump rope very low from side to side, never all the way around, while the class sings the traditional Spanish jump-rope song "Al pasar la barca" ("As the boat goes by"); kids jump it one or two at a time. Kids practice jumping to a rhythm and learn a traditional jump-rope game.
How to play
- Sitting down, we learn "Al pasar la barca," a traditional Spanish rhyme about a boatman, clapping along (2 min).
- The rope lies still on the ground: each child steps in, jumps it forward and back while we sing, and steps out (2 min).
- The adults rock the rope along the ground like a cradle; we go in one at a time and jump each time it passes (4 min).
- We jump two at a time, holding a friend's hand (3 min).
- When the song ends, the rope stops and whoever is inside crawls out underneath like a little boat (3 min).
Rules
- I wait my turn outside, in the boat line.
- The rope only rocks; it never goes all the way around.
- I jump when the rope reaches my feet.
- If I get tangled, I walk out and get back in line.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the rope stays still on the ground and they jump it forward and back while singing; the teacher only rocks it a tiny bit at the end.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, the rope rocks along the ground, one jumper at a time.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, rock it a little higher (never above the knee) and jump in pairs.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child is a boatman, helping rock the rope from their wheelchair next to the teacher.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher also marks the beat by moving an arm up and down.
- Less skilled: a classmate jumps alongside holding their hand and the adult calls "Now!" for each jump.
Learning goals
- Jump with both feet to a rhythm.
- Learn a traditional jump-rope song.
- Wait for a turn patiently.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Long rope: 1
Teacher tip
"Al pasar la barca" is a traditional Spanish jump-rope song; if you don't know it, any short chant with a strong beat works. Keep the rope brushing the ground: any higher and little ones get scared and tangled.
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