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Free Spots

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Play to Learn

Let’s ‘Play to Learn’

  • Children set up several spots/markers in a space
  • One child (the spotter) moves around the play space, keeping out of everyone else’s ‘bubble’ whilst the others (the spot keepers) move on a spot or around a spot or away from a spot and back to it, either with or without a piece of equipment. Refer to other Spot Activity Cards. Encourage all children to move in a variety of ways.
  • On a signal from one of the spot keepers, all the children stop. The spot keepers move quickly to a spot but the spotter must wait. When all the spot keepers are on a spot, move to the free spot.
  • On another command they move off that spot and move around the space until they hear the command to stop again.

Safety & Organisation

Ensure:

  • the surface is clean and free from obstructions
  • markers are non-slip and well spaced out away from walls/equipment
  • children work in small groups, with each group in their own ‘garden’
  • children avoid one another by keeping out of another child’s ‘bubble’
  • children agree signals and who will make the signals
  • children swap over frequently to ensure all children have a go at being the spotter

Opportunities to

  • start and stop on command
  • begin to develop spatial awareness

Questions

  • What are you doing when you stop?
  • What are you looking at when you are moving around the space?
  • How have you moved around the space?
  • How do you stop yourself from bumping into other children?
  • Why is it important not to bump into anyone?

Can you see the child?

  • Starting and stopping on command
  • Beginning to develop spatial awareness

  • Most of the time

    • Move as quickly as they can to the free spot
    • Change the commands so they react to different signals/commands
    • Put other obstacles into the space to negotiate

  • Sometimes

    • Partner the child to help them find the free spot
    • Reduce the number of children playing at any one time
    • Practise starting and stopping on command
    • Encourage the child to walk so that they can negotiate objects and other children safely
    • Ensure the spots are well spaced out

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Free Spots As We Progress