Where Did Teddy Hide?
The teacher hides a teddy bear in the gym while the group closes their eyes. When they open them, kids look for it, say where it is (under, on top, behind, inside), and everyone goes there to do an action. Kids build position words and visual attention.
How to play
- Before class, set out a mat, a gym bench, some hoops and some cones around the gym. Everyone sits in a circle with the teddy: “Let's play hide-and-seek with Teddy.”
- “Cover your eyes.” Hide the teddy under the mat with one paw showing. “Open your eyes! Look for him with your eyes only, stay sitting” (1 min).
- Whoever spots him points. Help them say it: “He's under the mat.” The whole group repeats it with a gesture: hands down low (1 min).
- Everyone walks to the spot and does the action: under, lie down; on top, stretch up on tiptoes; behind, hide behind it; inside, step into a hoop (2 min).
- Repeat with other hiding spots: on top of the bench, behind a cone, inside a hoop, next to the door. Each round they come back to the circle (5 min).
- To finish, the kids hide: “Hide behind a mat,” “sit next to the bench.” Teddy looks for them (3 min).
Rules
- Eyes covered while the teacher hides Teddy.
- Look without getting up until the teacher says go.
- Walk to the hiding spot.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, only inside, on top and under, with Teddy easy to see.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, add behind and next to.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, hide two bears and say where each one is.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: pick spots that can be seen and reached from a wheelchair, and do the action with the arms.
- Visual: use a big, brightly colored toy, or one with a bell to find by sound.
- Skill level or shyness: an eager child can hide Teddy; a child who finds talking hard can just point.
Learning goals
- Understand and use the words under, on top, behind, inside and next to.
- Look carefully around the room to find an object.
- Place their own body in relation to objects in the room.
Equipment for a class of 25
- rag dolls (or stuffed animals): 2
- mats: 2
- gym bench: 1
- hoops: 5
- cones: 4
Teacher tip
Always leave part of the bear showing: if it takes too long, kids lose interest. A gesture for each word helps a lot.
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