The Little Elephant Learns to Use Her Trunk
Children are little elephants learning to move their trunk (one arm) to say hello, pick up grass, take a shower, and walk as a herd. It builds hand-eye coordination and body awareness.
How to play
- The teacher tells the story of Lola, a little elephant who doesn't know how to use her trunk yet; we stretch one arm out from our nose and walk heavily, swinging it (2 min).
- The trunk learns to move: up, down, in circles, waving to one side and the other (2 min).
- There's grass all over the floor (scarves): each elephant picks one up with the trunk, brings it to its mouth with a "nom" and drops it in a pantry basket (4 min).
- We go to the pretend water hole: we suck up water with our trunk and shower our back, tummy and feet with a "fshhh," then pretend-splash the friend next to us (3 min).
- Mama Elephant (the teacher) calls the herd: we make a line where each trunk holds the tail (hand) of the elephant in front, and walk slowly to the resting spot (3 min).
Rules
- The trunk is our arm: we use it to pick things up, not to hit.
- Each elephant picks up one scarf at a time.
- In line we go slowly so no one lets go.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, pick up scarves with the trunk hand without worrying which arm it is.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, the trunk is always the same arm, and we switch arms halfway through.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, pick up the scarf with the trunk, toss it up a little and catch it before taking it to the basket.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: also put scarves on tables so a child in a wheelchair can pick them up with the trunk at their height.
- Visual impairment: use bright scarves on a plain floor and say aloud where most of them are.
- Autism: do the pretend shower only on their own body if they don't like being touched.
Learning goals
- Coordinate eyes and hand to pick up objects.
- Move one arm in different directions.
- Move in a line at the group's pace.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Scarves: 25
- Baskets: 4
Teacher tip
Show the trunk-arm pressed against the nose with the other hand holding it for a moment, because they love it. The usual mistake is grabbing with both hands, so remind them an elephant only has one trunk.
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