We Build Our Mountain and Climb It

Together, the children drag mats and cushions to build a low mountain, then climb it to plant their fabric flag at the top. It practices cooperation, climbing and getting down safely.

How to play

1. The teacher shows a mountain photo and explains that today we're mountaineers who build our own mountain (2 min).
2. In pairs, we drag mats and cushions to the middle and the teacher stacks them into a mountain no more than three layers high (5 min).
3. We touch the mountain, walk around it and look for the best way up (2 min).
4. In small groups, we climb on all fours, leave the flag at the top and come down sitting or on our bottoms (6 min).
5. Pretend photo of all the mountaineers around the mountain, then we take it apart together (3 min).

Rules

• Mats are carried by two people.
• No pushing or jumping at the top.
• We come down sitting or feet first.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: helps build and places the flag on the lower slope.
• Autism: a specific job (carrying cushions) and a heads-up before climbing time.
• Hearing impairment: directions with gestures and a photo of the finished mountain.

Learning goals

• Cooperate to build a play space.
• Climb soft, uneven surfaces.
• Choose a safe way to get down.

Equipment for a class of 25

• colchonetas: 8
• cojines: 10
• banderines de tela: 25

Teacher tip

You decide where each mat goes: they carry, you build, and check nothing is wobbly. The usual mistake is everyone climbing at once: groups of four at most.

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