Let’s ‘Play to Learn’
- Children set up several spots/markers in a space
- One child (the spotter) turns their back to the space while the other children (the spot keepers) place different objects on some of the spots, leaving at least one spot free
- On a signal from the others, the spotter turns around and calls out the colour of a free spot, or the number on the spot or the shape on the spot, or the position, etc.
- On another signal the spotter turns and moves to stand on a free spot
- Swap over after several goes
Safety & Organisation
Ensure:
- surface is clean and free from obstructions
- markers are non-slip and well spaced out away from walls/equipment
- children work in small groups
- children agree signals and how they are to move before they start
Opportunities to
- move in different ways
- begin to explore spaces safely
- improve observation skills
Questions
- Why did you choose each signal?
- How many different ways did you move to the free spot?
- What did you place on a spot and why?
- Is it easier to find the free spot when the spots are close together or far apart? Why?
Can you see the child?
- Moving in different ways
- Beginning to explore spaces safely
- Improving observation skills
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Most of the time
Encourage the child to:
- move in a variety of ways – use a ‘move cube’ to determine how to move
- make things occupying the spot less obvious
- run away from the play area and return as fast as they can, then look for the free spot or pass an object around their body so that they concentrate on something else and then focus quickly to find the free spot
-
Sometimes
Encourage the child to:
- find the free spot with support e.g. by holding their hand – practitioner acts as a leader for the child to follow, discussing where to move, how to move
- move in their favourite way to limit the decision-making process about how to move
Limit the number of spots, so there are fewer things to consider, e.g. two spots, one with something on it, one without anything.
Use directional arrows to help the child locate the free spot.
Ensure the spots are well spaced out.