In shape
Opal Dunn
Wednesday, May 16, 2001
Play a game about pattern to tie in with our pattern project (see overleaf). Child development opportunities
Child development opportunities
* To listen and respond to instructions.
* To have fun together.
* To find out more about shapes.
How to play
* Draw a straight line, a square and a circle on the floor or playground.
* As you draw the shapes, explain them to the children.
* Begin the game with all children standing with their toes on the line.
* Call out one of the shapes, for example 'square', and all the children run to stand with their toes on one of the sides of the square. The last child to arrive stands inside the square for one turn.
* Then call out either 'circle' or 'line' as the children run to the new shape.
* As the children get used to playing, ask one child to call out the shapes.
* As the children get familiar with the shapes, add new shapes like a triangle and a rectangle and change the line to a wiggly line.
Tips
* For the first few calls, no child misses a turn.
* Adapt by making two examples of all or some of the shapes.
For more games, see Acker Backa BOO! - Games to Say and Play From Around the World by Opal Dunn (Frances Lincoln, 10.99)
Copyright: Opal Dunn. The author disclaims responsibility for any adverse effects resulting directly or indirectly from the game outlined.
