Touch the Ball I Name
The playground is scattered with big, medium and small balls of many colors, and children run to touch, without picking up, the one the teacher names. It's a running warm-up that also works on recognizing colors and sizes.
How to play
- Before starting, walk among the balls noticing which ones are big, medium and tiny (1 min).
- The teacher calls a color: “Red!” and everyone runs to touch a red ball with their hand and crouches there (2 min).
- Now the teacher calls a size: “A giant one!” “A tiny one!” and we run to touch it (1 min).
- Change the body part: touch the ball with your elbow, foot or knee (1 min).
- To finish, everyone sits next to their favorite ball and tells us its color and size (1 min).
Rules
- Touch the ball, don't pick it up.
- One ball can have lots of friends touching it.
- Watch where you run so you don't trip over the balls.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use colors only, with a few very big balls spread far apart, and the teacher points if needed.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, call colors and sizes separately and touch with different body parts.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, combine color and size, “a small blue ball,” and travel in different ways (jumping, hopping on one foot).
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: place some balls on tables or cones at the child's height and let them touch with a pool noodle.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher holds up a ball of the color or size called.
- Lower skill or more impulsivity: play walking instead of running, with fewer balls on the ground.
Learning goals
- Identify ball colors and sizes.
- Run and change direction without tripping.
- Warm up the body with quick movement.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Balls in different sizes and colors: 30
Teacher tip
Leave plenty of space between balls and set the small ones on a hoop or cone so they don't roll underfoot. Say the cue twice before “Go!”.
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