The Quiet Hoop Tower

Sitting in a circle, each child tiptoes to the middle and slips their hoop over a cone without a sound, until the whole group has built a quiet tower. Children practice movement control, waiting their turn and calming down as a group.

How to play

1. Sit in a big circle holding your hoop; there's a cone in the middle (1 min).
2. One by one, when the teacher whispers your name, stand up slowly and tiptoe to the middle (1 min).
3. Slide your hoop down the cone all the way, so gently it makes no sound (1 min).
4. As you put your hoop down, whisper your name and go back to your spot in slow motion (1 min).
5. Look at the tower together and take three very slow, deep breaths (1 min).

Rules

• I wait to hear my name before I get up.
• I put my hoop down gently so it makes no noise.
• I tiptoe there and back.
• While others go, I sit quietly and watch.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child next to them goes along, or the teacher brings the cone closer so they can place the hoop.
• Visual impairment: a buddy walks with them hand in hand, and the teacher taps the cone to guide them.
• Autism: let them go first or last, whichever they prefer, so they know when their turn is.

Learning goals

• Control movement to stay silent.
• Wait their turn quietly.
• End the session calmly while putting equipment away.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Hoops: 25
• Large cone: 1

Teacher tip

It's a calm way to put the hoops away at the end. With a big class, build two towers in two circles so the wait isn't long, and call the wiggliest children first.

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