The Slow Cup Waiter

Each child is a waiter carrying a cup standing on a paper plate, walking very slowly to calm music without letting it fall. It builds fine hand control, attentive eyes and winding down.

How to play

1. Each waiter stands a cup in the middle of a plate and holds it up with one hand underneath (1 min).
2. Walk very slowly around the room to soft music, watching the cup (2 min).
3. Stop and try holding the plate with the other hand without the cup wobbling (1 min).
4. Deliver the order to a pretend table: crouch down slowly and set the plate on the floor (1 min).
5. Sit by your plate and breathe out softly at the cup until it almost moves (1 min).

Rules

• The waiter walks slowly, no running.
• If the cup falls, I stand it back up and stay calm.
• I watch my cup and the customers so I don't bump.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: carry the plate on the lap or in hand while a classmate pushes the wheelchair slowly.
• Visual impairment: walk hand in hand with a classmate and feel the cup with the fingers.
• Less dexterity: stick the cup to the plate with a dab of play dough.

Learning goals

• Slow the body down after play.
• Control the hand to keep an object balanced.
• Coordinate the eyes with slow walking.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Plastic cups: 25
• Paper plates: 25
• Music

Teacher tip

Slow music does half the work; keep it quiet. Keep saying "snail steps," because at first they speed up to get there faster.

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