The Mat Slide Many Ways

A mat over a bench hooked onto the wall bars becomes a low slide that kids go down in different safe ways. It builds awareness of the body in motion and controlled descent.

How to play

1. The teacher hooks the bench onto the first or second rung, lays a mat over it and another at the bottom (3 min).
2. We get to the top by walking up the low side or with an adult, and sit down (2 min).
3. First ride: sitting, feet first (3 min).
4. Second ride: lying on our tummies, feet first, like penguins (4 min).
5. We pick our favorite of the safe rides and do it again (3 min).

Rules

• We always go down feet first.
• One goes down, and the next waits until the first gets off the mat.
• At the top we sit before going down.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the adult seats them at the top and goes down beside them.
• Autism: can watch several classmates' rides before trying, no rush.
• Visual impairment: the adult calls out "Here you come!" and the landing mat has a textured edge.

Learning goals

• Feel the body sliding in different positions.
• Get down from a slope safely.
• Wait for a turn.

Equipment for a class of 25

• banco sueco: 1
• colchonetas: 3
• espaldera: 1

Teacher tip

Never head first or standing: say so from the start and don't negotiate. One adult at the top to seat them and another at the bottom to clear the landing.

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