The Six-Station Die
Each face of the giant die shows a picture of a spot in the playground marked with a cone; when it's rolled, everyone runs to that spot and does its little mission. It builds playground orientation and running with stops.
How to play
- Walk together to the six stations marked with cones and pictures: the tree, the goal, the bench, the hoops, the wall and the water fountain. At each one the teacher shows the mission (3 min).
- Missions: hug the tree and count to five; touch both goalposts; sit down and stand up from the bench three times; jump in and out of the hoops; push the wall hard; and bounce a ball by the fountain (2 min).
- Everyone in the middle of the playground. The teacher rolls the die, shows the picture, and we all run to that station to do the mission (4 min).
- Come back to the middle a different way each time (tiptoeing, bunny hopping, crab walking), and another child rolls the die (3 min).
- Last roll: walk to the station that comes up and sit there breathing until the whole group arrives (2 min).
Rules
- Run looking ahead so we don't bump.
- Do the mission and come back to the middle.
- We all go to the same station: no need to be first.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, only three nearby stations, and the teacher runs ahead holding the picture.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, all six stations with the same mission each time.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, on the way back the teacher rolls a color die and they return along the path of that color drawn in chalk.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: accessible stations and adapted missions (touch the tree, toss the ball instead of bouncing it); a buddy can push the chair.
- Visual impairment: each station has a sound (a shaker, a little bell) an adult makes to guide the way.
- Autism: a drawn map of the playground with the six stations to look at before running off.
Learning goals
- Find places in the playground from a picture.
- Run and stop with control at a set spot.
- Do simple movement tasks at different places.
Equipment for a class of 25
- dado gigante: 1
- conos: 6
- tarjetas con dibujos de lugares: 6
- aros: 2
- pelotas: 6
Teacher tip
Pick stations that can be seen from the middle and avoid hidden corners. The usual mistake is kids staying at the station: always use the same clap to call them back.
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