The Sideways Figure-Eight Road

The teacher draws big sideways figure eights on the ground; children walk them, then roll a ball along them by hand, and finally drive a toy car on them, always passing through the middle crossing. It works on crossing the midline and hand-eye coordination.

How to play

1. The teacher draws several huge sideways figure eights in chalk and marks a stoplight at the middle crossing (2 min).
2. Walk the eight like cars, slowing down at the crossing so nobody bumps (3 min).
3. Now the eight is smaller: go around it on your knees pushing a ball with one hand (3 min).
4. Repeat pushing the ball with the other hand (2 min).
5. Sitting in front of a small eight drawn in front of you, drive a toy car around it without moving your bottom (3 min).
6. The cars go back to the garage: put balls and cars back in their box (1 min).

Rules

• Go slow at the middle crossing.
• Follow the chalk line.
• Every car gives space to the one in front.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: draw the small eight on a table or on large paper on the wheelchair tray.
• Visual impairment: mark the eight with rope taped to the floor so they can follow it with a foot or hand.
• Autism: give the child their own eight with their name so they know which road is theirs.

Learning goals

• Trace a figure eight crossing the midline.
• Guide an object with one hand and then the other.
• Coordinate eyes with hand movement.

Equipment for a class of 25

• chalk: 6
• medium balls: 25
• toy cars: 25

Teacher tip

Draw each small eight right in front of the child, with the crossing lined up with the belly button, so the hand has to cross. No chalk? Use masking tape indoors.

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