The Scarf Hand
Each child wears a scarf loosely tied on the wrist of the hand they eat or draw with, and a dot sticker on the shoe on that same side. Calls use “scarf hand” and “sticker foot” instead of right and left. Kids begin to notice the two sides of their body.
How to play
- Before starting, ask each child: “Which hand do you hold your spoon with?” Tie a scarf loosely on that wrist and put a dot sticker on the shoe on the same side.
- Everyone spreads out and stands still: “Scarf hand up,” “touch your nose with your scarf hand,” “other hand on your tummy.” Do each move with them (3 min).
- Now the feet: “Stomp three times with your sticker foot,” “lift your sticker foot,” “hop on your other foot” (2 min).
- With the tambourine, kids walk around the gym. When it stops, say: “Wave to a friend with your scarf hand” or “tap sticker feet with a friend” (4 min).
- Finish in a circle: pass a wave with the scarf hand from child to child. Then take off the scarves and ask: “Do you remember which was your scarf hand?” (3 min).
Rules
- Scarves are tied loosely, never tight.
- Waves and taps are gentle.
- When the tambourine stops, listen to the call before moving.
- Mistakes are fine: look at your scarf and try again.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, scarf hand only, no foot sticker.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, scarf hand and sticker foot.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, cross over: “with your scarf hand, touch your other knee.”
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: focus on hands, arms and head from the wheelchair.
- Visual: use a textured scarf or one with a bell so the child can feel it.
- Skill level or autism: for kids who find it hard, gently touch their scarf hand as you give the call; for kids who find it easy, give faster calls.
Learning goals
- Tell the two sides of the body apart using a visible marker.
- Use their preferred hand and foot when following calls.
- Connect with classmates through gentle waves and taps.
Equipment for a class of 25
- scarves: 20
- dot stickers: 20
- tambourine: 1
Teacher tip
Don't correct the hand they choose: the one they eat with is the right one for the game. Have scarves and stickers ready before kids come in.
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