The Washing Machine Circle

The circle turns into a washing machine that fills, washes by turning slowly, spins fast and opens up to hang the laundry. It builds controlling turning speed, opening and closing the circle, and moving in sync with the group.

How to play

1. Standing in a circle holding hands, the teacher explains the cycles: "fill" (close toward the middle saying "shhh"), "wash" (turn slowly one way, then the other), "spin" (a quick, short turn) and "hang to dry" (open the circle and stretch arms out to the sun) (2 min).
2. Try each cycle with no laundry inside: the teacher calls it out and does it with us, pausing between cycles (3 min).
3. Three children step into the middle as dirty laundry and turn in place while the machine fills, washes and spins; then they come out and three more go in (4 min).
4. "Power's out!": the machine stops dead without letting go, then starts again very slowly (1 min).
5. Last cycle: hang the laundry by opening the circle as wide as possible, stand still in the sun, and dry off with a big stretch (2 min).

Rules

• Spin is fast but short: five steps and stop.
• If it gets too fast, anyone can say "stop!" and we all stop.
• The laundry turns in place without bumping.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair can be the button that picks the cycle, or laundry in the middle turning the chair with help.
• Autism: keep pictures of the four cycles in view and use the same order the first time.
• Visual impairment: the laundry child in the middle is joined by a classmate, and the fast spin uses short steps.

Learning goals

• Control the circle's turning speed (slow, fast, stop).
• Close and open the circle in a coordinated way.
• Act out an everyday situation with the body and the group.

Teacher tip

Before spinning, remind them we turn with short steps, not running, so nobody lets go or falls. They love "Power's out!"; use it to regain control if they speed up.

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