The Seal Rolls a Ball Along the Bench

On hands and knees beside the bench, kids are seals rolling a ball along the top of the bench from one end to the other without letting it fall. It builds crawling and hand-eye coordination to control a rolling object.

How to play

1. Each bench is a seal track; we leave two foam balls at the end of each one (1 min).
2. Standing, we push the ball along the bench with one hand, walking slowly beside it (2 min).
3. Now we're seals: on hands and knees on the floor, we tap the ball along the top of the bench (3 min).
4. We try pushing with the other hand and, on the way back, very gently with our seal nose (our forehead) (3 min).
5. In pairs, one seal on each side of the bench, we pass the ball back and forth in a zigzag to the end (3 min).

Rules

• The ball rolls, it doesn't fly.
• If it falls, pick it up and put it back where it was.
• Each seal waits until the ball ahead reaches the middle.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: from the wheelchair, push the ball along the bench with help moving forward, or on a short stretch.
• Visual impairment: use a ball with a bell inside, and keep the other hand on the bench edge.
• Autism: a bench of their own and a ball in their favorite color.

Learning goals

• Control a ball rolling along a narrow surface with the hand.
• Crawl while keeping attention on the ball.
• Work with a partner to move the ball.

Equipment for a class of 25

• banco sueco: 4
• pelotas de gomaespuma: 8

Teacher tip

Use soft, light balls about 8 inches across: truly big ones fall off the bench. The usual mistake is hitting too hard, so say "We tickle the ball."

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