Where Will the Ball Stop?
The teacher rolls a ball across the playground, children follow it with their eyes without moving, and when it stops they run to make a statue around it. They practice tracking moving objects and predicting where they'll go.
How to play
- Sitting in a line, the teacher slowly rolls a ball and we all follow it with an outstretched finger until it stops (2 min).
- Now standing up: we follow the ball with our eyes and only when it stops completely do we run and make a circle around it (3 min).
- The teacher rolls it harder or with spin, and children shout "There!" pointing to where they think it will stop before it does (3 min).
- Two balls of different colors at once: children in red pinnies go to the red ball and the rest go to the blue (3 min).
- Last ball, very slow: we walk alongside it like bodyguards until it stops (1 min).
Rules
- Don't go until the ball stops.
- Don't touch the ball, just circle it.
- Watch your friends as you run.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use a big ball and short, slow rolls.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use longer rolls and the guess-where-it-stops game.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, two balls at once, and bounces instead of rolls.
Adaptations
- Child with limited mobility: rolls the ball while the others follow it.
- Child with low vision: use a ball with a bell inside and a bright color.
- Impulsive child: holds the teacher's hand in early rounds and they go together when the ball stops.
Learning goals
- Track a rolling object with the eyes.
- Predict where it will stop.
- Wait for a signal before running.
Equipment for a class of 25
- pelotas de colores: 2
Teacher tip
Roll toward open areas away from walls so no one collides. If they start running too soon, say "the ball is still awake."
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