The Ribbon Festival Parade
Like a hometown parade or festival, the class marches in line around the yard moving their ribbons to the beat of the drum and waving to an imaginary crowd. It builds walking to a beat while moving the arm, keeping a line and sharing a festive tradition.
How to play
- Quick chat: who has seen a parade? How do people march, and what do they carry? (1 min).
- In a line, we march to the drum with the ribbon held still and high, like a banner (2 min).
- Moving parade: one step, the ribbon goes right; next step, left (3 min).
- We stop in front of the "stand" (the teacher or another class): the ribbon makes a big circle to wave hello and we move on (3 min).
- Big finish: the parade becomes a snake that slowly coils around the teacher, and we all lift our ribbons at once (3 min).
Rules
- I follow the person in front without passing them.
- My ribbon dances up and to the sides, not toward the friend behind me.
- We march to the beat of the drum.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, march holding the teacher's hand in a short line, just holding the ribbon high and waving.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, add the right-left move with each step and the stops to wave.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, march in two parallel lines that cross in the middle, and each child invents a different wave.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the wheelchair leads the parade carrying a longer ribbon as the banner.
- Visual impairment: march in the middle of the line with a hand on the shoulder of the friend in front.
- Autism: the child can go first or last, where there's less contact.
Learning goals
- March to a beat while coordinating an arm movement.
- Keep the line and spacing from a partner.
- Learn about and enjoy local festivals.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cintas de tela con palito: 25
- pandero: 1
- música
Teacher tip
If a carnival, holiday parade or neighborhood festival is coming up, tie it in and parade past other classrooms. Leave two steps between children so ribbons don't tangle with the child behind.
PatioLab has "The Ribbon Festival Parade" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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