The Ribbon Rainbow
Grouped by ribbon color, children stand on curved lines like the stripes of a rainbow and, when it's their turn, draw a big arc in the sky so the whole rainbow appears. It builds positioning in space, waiting for a turn and group coordination.
How to play
- Each child takes a red, yellow, green or blue ribbon and we gather by color (1 min).
- Everyone practices the arc: the ribbon starts low on one side, goes up over the head and down the other side (2 min).
- We stand on curved chalk lines on the ground, each color on its own stripe (2 min).
- Rain falls (soft drum) and the sun comes out (loud tap): first red makes the arc, then yellow, green and blue, until the rainbow is complete (4 min).
- Silly rainbow: the teacher calls colors in random order and only those make the arc; at the end, everyone at once (3 min).
Rules
- My color waits for its turn.
- I make a big arc from side to side without leaving my stripe.
- I watch my ribbon while I make the arc.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only two colors, and the teacher taps the shoulder of the group whose turn it is.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use four colors in order.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the rainbow walks: each stripe takes three steps while making the arc, then stops.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child in a wheelchair is at the end of their stripe, where there's more room for the arc.
- Visual impairment: a friend on the same stripe taps the child's back when it's their turn.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher holds up a card showing the color that should make the arc.
Learning goals
- Place oneself in space in relation to the group.
- Wait for a turn and respond to a signal.
- Coordinate with others to create a shared shape.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cintas de tela con palito: 25
- pandero: 1
Teacher tip
Mark the stripes with chalk ahead of time and leave plenty of distance between them so ribbons don't touch. If you can, take a photo from above: kids love seeing it.
PatioLab has "The Ribbon Rainbow" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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