The Shoulder Taxi

One child is the taxi and goes in front; the other is the driver, steering from behind with hands resting on the taxi's shoulders. It practices finding your way in space, leading and being led, and gentle touch.

How to play

1. The teacher demonstrates with a child: the driver rests their hands on the taxi's shoulders and steers slowly; before starting, they ask, “Can I put my hands on your shoulders?” (1 min).
2. In pairs, the taxis drive slowly around the yard, avoiding the others (1 min).
3. Taxis stop at a stand (a cone), switch roles, and keep going (1 min).
4. Taxi stand!: at each cone, drivers get out and find a different free taxi (1 min).
5. The taxi is in a hurry: they go a bit faster, still walking, and stop together at “Beep beep!” (1 min).
6. End of the shift: taxis park in the garage (next to the teacher) and say thank you (1 min).

Rules

• I ask before putting my hands on someone's shoulders.
• The taxi always walks, never runs.
• At “Beep beep!” we stop.
• At the taxi stand, I find a new taxi.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a classmate carefully pushes the wheelchair, or walks in front with the chair following.
• Autism: let the child always be the driver if they don't like having their back touched, or hold a hoop between the two.
• Hearing impairment: show a red card along with “Beep beep!”

Learning goals

• Move with a partner while avoiding obstacles.
• Lead and be led with trust.
• Ask permission before touching.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Cones: 5

Teacher tip

Spread 4–5 cones around as taxi stands. Drivers tend to push; remind them, “The taxi goes at its own speed; the driver just shows the way.”

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