The Scarf Lands Where I Say

Children toss their scarf up and, instead of catching it with their hands, get under it so it lands on their head, back, shoulder or foot. It works on judging the fall, positioning the body in space and knowing its parts.

How to play

1. Toss the scarf up and let it fall to the floor without touching it, watching closely how and where it comes down (2 min).
2. Now the scarf lands on your head: toss it and get underneath so it drops on top like a hat (2 min).
3. The scarf lands on your back: toss it, crouch down like a turtle and wait for it to settle on your shell (2 min).
4. The scarf lands on your foot or a raised knee, balancing on one leg or sitting down (2 min).
5. The teacher calls “Shoulder!”, “Open hand!”, “Tummy!” (lying face up) and everyone tosses and gets in position (3 min).
6. Gather the scarves, scrunch them into little balls and shoot them into the box (1 min).

Rules

• Toss your scarf up, not at other people.
• Keep your eyes on the scarf as it falls.
• No catching with your hands: let it land!
• If it hits the floor, pick it up and try again.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: from the wheelchair, the scarf lands on the head, shoulder, knee or open hand; a classmate can do the tossing.
• Visual impairment: use a high-contrast scarf or one with a jingle bell sewn on, and toss it low.
• Less dexterity: toss from close to the body, at head height, so it drops almost where they are.

Learning goals

• Anticipate the path of a slowly falling object.
• Position the body in just the right spot to receive it.
• Name and use different body parts.

Equipment for a class of 25

• fabric scarves: 25

Teacher tip

Thin chiffon juggling scarves fall super slowly and are ideal; thick ones drop like rocks. The usual mistake is tossing forward: ask them to throw “to the ceiling, like you're touching a cloud.”

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