The Shape Garden: Carrot, Pumpkin and Pea
Children stroll through the garden and, when the teacher names a vegetable, act it out with their body: a straight, tall carrot, a round pumpkin on the ground, peas lined up in their pod, or broccoli with arms like branches. It works on body postures and control, alone and in groups.
How to play
- In a circle, the teacher shows each vegetable’s shape: carrot (standing tall and stiff), pumpkin (ball on the ground), broccoli (arms spread like a little tree) (2 min).
- Stroll through the garden with gardener steps; when the teacher names a vegetable, freeze in its shape (3 min).
- Here come the peas: on “Pod!”, group up in threes in a line, crouched and hugging like peas in a pod (3 min).
- Harvest time: the teacher walks by with a pretend basket and “picks” each child; once picked, you move like your vegetable around the garden (2 min).
- Everyone picks a favorite vegetable and holds its shape as still as possible while we count to five (2 min).
Rules
- Stroll through the garden without stepping on anyone.
- When the teacher names a vegetable, freeze in its shape.
- Everyone fits in a pod: no one is left without a group.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only carrot and pumpkin, with the teacher making the shape too.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use four vegetables and the three-pea pod.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, invent the shape of a new vegetable together (pepper, lettuce, leek) and make five-pea pods.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: make each shape with arms and trunk from the wheelchair; in the pod, classmates line up beside the child.
- Autism: use picture cards of each vegetable and its shape, and allow the pod to be made just holding hands instead of hugging.
- Hearing loss: the teacher shows the vegetable card while saying it.
Learning goals
- Make and hold shapes with the whole body.
- Go from movement to stillness with control.
- Get to know garden vegetables through play.
Teacher tip
If your school has a garden, play right next to it and name what’s growing. Usual mistake: pods form with pushing; show first how to crouch down slowly.
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