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Tube Telescopes

Lying or sitting down, children look through a paper towel tube like a telescope and calmly search for sock balls the teacher has hidden around the room. It builds steady gazing, calm and breathing after activity.

PhaseCool-down

Duration6 min

Ages3–6

SpaceGym or classroom

EquipmentPaper towel tubes, Sock balls

IntensityLow

How to play

Sit on the floor, each with a tube telescope, and take three deep breaths (1 min).
Look through the telescope slowly: the ceiling, the window, our feet (1 min).
The teacher says "I'm looking for a red ball" and we search, moving the telescope very slowly; when we see it, we point silently (2 min).
Close one eye and then the other while looking at the found ball through the telescope, staying still (1 min).
Lie on your back, rest the telescope on your tummy and watch it rise and fall as you breathe (1 min).

Rules

I move my telescope slowly.
When I find the ball, I point without talking.
I stay in my spot, sitting or lying down.

Variations

Easier

For 3-year-olds, use big balls in plain view; the teacher points to the area.

Standard

For 4-year-olds, half-hide balls at different heights.

Harder

For 5-year-olds, find several balls in order, or the one next to another object.

Adaptations

Visual impairment: instead of looking, listen for a bell ringing somewhere and point toward it.
Limited mobility: play seated in the wheelchair like everyone else.
Autism: the child can keep the telescope the whole time and choose when to lie down.