The Mixer: Speed One, Two, Three
Children are the ingredients of a cake inside a giant mixing bowl, and the teacher's mixer moves them at speed one, two or three depending on how many fingers are up. It works on changing pace in response to a signal.
How to play
- Make a big circle: that's the bowl. Each child says what ingredient they are (flour, egg, milk…) (1 min).
- Speed one (one finger): walk slowly inside the bowl, stirring with arms like spoons (1 min).
- Speed two (two fingers): walk fast and spin around without bumping (1 min).
- Speed three (three fingers): jog gently all over the bowl; closed fist means the mixer is off and we freeze (1 min).
- Play switching speeds in any order, with a few surprise stops (1 min).
- Turn off the mixer and let the batter rest: crouch down and curl into a ball in the cake pan (1 min).
Rules
- I watch the teacher's hand: fingers tell me the speed.
- Closed fist means I freeze.
- On speed three I don't push the other ingredients.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only speeds one and two, and the teacher says the number out loud too.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use all three speeds and the teacher only shows fingers.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the mixer speeds up and slows down step by step (one, two, three, two, one) and children must catch every change.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair stirs faster or slower with their arms, in place or pushed by a buddy.
- Hearing impairment: the signal is already visual; the teacher holds the hand up high, facing the group.
- Autism: warn before each stop with “three, two, one… off!” so it isn't a surprise.
Learning goals
- Match movement speed to a signal.
- Tell slow from fast.
- Warm up the body gradually.
Teacher tip
Practice the three hand signs sitting down before you start. Kids tend to sprint on speed three, so tell them the mixer splatters if it goes too hard.
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