Where Is Teddy Sleeping?
The class's stuffed animals have hidden to sleep among the furniture, and children search for them following location clues: under the big table, behind the red chair, beside the bookshelf. It works on spatial concepts and moving around the classroom in different ways.
How to play
- While the children wait with eyes covered, the teacher hides six stuffed animals in easy-to-reach spots (1 min).
- The teacher gives the first clue: “Teddy is sleeping under a table,” and everyone searches on tiptoe so he doesn't wake up (3 min).
- Whoever finds it doesn't grab it: they call “Here!”, everyone comes to see, and the finder says where it was (3 min).
- Now the children hide them: one group hides while the other searches using clues from the hiders (4 min).
- Carry all the stuffed animals to bed on the rug and sing them a made-up lullaby (2 min).
Rules
- I search by walking; no opening drawers or climbing on anything.
- The animals hide under, behind or beside things, never up high.
- When I spot one, I tell everyone and don't keep it.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, stuffed animals partly visible and the teacher points to the area.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, clues with under, behind and beside.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, two-part clues (“behind a chair that's next to the window”) and they do the hiding.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: some animals are hidden within their reach and they search with a buddy.
- Visual impairment: one stuffed animal has a bell or a small music box playing.
- Autism: show them a card with the animal and the place beforehand, and they search with an adult.
Learning goals
- Understand the concepts under, behind, in front and beside.
- Find their way around the classroom by following clues.
- Use words to explain where an object is.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Stuffed animals: 6
- Tables: 6
- Chairs: 25
Teacher tip
No hiding spots up high or inside furniture that closes. Always use the same location words and ask the finder to repeat them.
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