The Net That Protects the Garden
The parachute is the net that covers the garden: half the group are little plants crouched underneath, and the other half lift and lower it in time to protect them from the birds. Kids practice moving together as a group and looking out for each other.
How to play
- Explain that birds come to peck at the seeds, so gardeners cover the plants with a net; the parachute will be our net (1 min).
- Everyone around the parachute moves it together: gentle breeze, strong wind, up and down (2 min).
- Half the group crouches in the middle as little plants; the others lift the net high and lower it slowly to cover them (3 min).
- Birds (the teacher and two kids) circle outside; when the net goes up, the plants quickly switch spots, and the net comes down before the birds get there (3 min).
- Switch roles: the net holders become the plants (2 min).
- Lay the net still on the ground and sit around it to rest (1 min).
Rules
- Lower the net slowly, never drop it on friends.
- Hands stay on the net until the teacher says to let go.
- Under the net, plants stay crouched down.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, just lift and lower the net over a small group, with no birds.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, add the birds and have the plants switch spots.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the teacher calls which plants switch ("plants wearing white sneakers") while the rest stay put.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child holds the net from the wheelchair at a spot where the height is comfortable.
- Autism or fear of being covered: the child can always hold the net, be a bird, or stay underneath near the edge.
- Hearing impairment: the up and down signals are given with the teacher's gestures, visible from every side.
Learning goals
- Coordinate movements with the whole group.
- Look out for friends by lowering the net gently.
- Switch spots quickly without bumping.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Play parachute: 1
Teacher tip
No parachute? A large bedsheet or a lightweight garden net with no hooks works. The usual mistake is dropping it all at once, so practice "lower it on the count of three" first.
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