The Paper Wall: Tiptoes to Squats
With a very long strip of butcher paper taped to a fence or wall, children paint vertical strokes from top to bottom, from tiptoes all the way down to a squat, and horizontal strokes while stepping sideways with a brush or roller. They practice posture control at different levels, balance, and range of motion.
How to play
- We tape the paper securely along the fence and set trays on the ground; each child has their own section (2 min).
- Without paint, we practice: stretching up on tiptoes with an arm raised, then slowly lowering into a squat to touch the ground (2 min).
- We dip our brushes and paint rain: lines from top to bottom, from tiptoes to squat, slowly (3 min).
- Now with rollers: we paint the horizon by stepping sideways along the paper, first high, then at belly height, then low (4 min).
- We finish by looking at our wall: rain lines and sideways paths; we find the longest line, from the very top to the very bottom (3 min).
Rules
- Go up and down slowly, no jumping.
- Step sideways while watching the paper and your friends.
- The brush goes back in the tray before you move to a new spot.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, paint only top-to-bottom lines, with an adult holding the tray nearby.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, paint vertical lines and one sideways path with the roller.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the sideways path goes up and down like mountains without lifting the roller off the paper.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: tape the paper lower and extend the brush with a stick so they can paint top to bottom from the wheelchair.
- Autism: mark their section with colored tape and give them their own tray.
- Visual impairment: put raised tape along the edges of their section, and the teacher guides their hand on the first line.
Learning goals
- Control posture moving from tiptoes to a squat.
- Move sideways while keeping a stroke going.
- Increase range of motion in the arms and legs.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Butcher paper roll: 1
- Wide paintbrushes: 12
- Paint rollers: 12
- Washable paint: 4
- Trays: 6
- Masking tape: 1
Teacher tip
Use plenty of tape: if the paper comes loose, it folds and the artwork is lost. The typical mistake is bending at the waist to go down, so show them how to bend their knees like a frog.
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