We Are the Park: Tree, Bench and Fountain
When we arrive at the park, children look around and turn their bodies into what they see: a tall tree, a flat bench, a splashing fountain. It gently warms up the body while they get to know a new place.
How to play
- Sit in a circle on the grass and point to a tree, a bench and a fountain or trash can in the park (1 min).
- Stand up and be trees: feet still like roots, arms high, swaying in the wind (1 min).
- Be benches: on hands and knees with a flat back, while the teacher pretends to 'sit' with a light hand on top (1 min).
- Be fountains: crouch down and on 'Water!' jump up opening your arms, then come down slowly; then switch between tree, bench and fountain as the teacher calls them (2 min).
- Each child picks their favorite park thing and everyone does theirs at once, ending in one big statue of the whole park (1 min).
Rules
- We stay on the patch of grass the teacher shows us.
- When the teacher says 'Freeze!', everyone is a statue.
- The bench stays still until the teacher stands up.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, only tree and fountain, with the teacher modeling the whole time.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, tree, bench and fountain, switching without stopping.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, add the lamppost (straight with a 'lit' head) and the swing (arm swings), and a child suggests another park thing.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair makes the tree with their arms and the fountain by lifting and opening their hands.
- Autism: preview photos of the tree, bench and fountain at school before the outing.
- Hearing loss: point to the real object when you name it and use an open hand held up for 'freeze'.
Learning goals
- Warm up calmly when arriving at a new place.
- Show with the body things they see around them.
- Respond to a stop signal.
Teacher tip
Before you start, set the boundaries by sight: 'up to that tree and that bench.' Always point to the real object before imitating it so they look at the park, not just at you.
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