Let’s ‘Play to Learn’
Encourage the children to explore:
- Setting up their own stepping stone trail to cross a particular distance in as few stepping stones as they can – walk, jump or ‘fox’ the trail
- Setting up a stepping stone trail for another child or group that is achievable, yet challenging
- Setting up a stepping stone trail up a climbing frame / sloped area / wall / obstacle course / climbing wall / natural mound/rock – refer to the Technical Skills Card for Climbing
- Setting up a stepping stone trail over a series of obstacles to be completed in as short a time as possible
Safety & Organisation
Ensure:
- there is a variety of obstacles that will cater for all abilities
- children work in ‘gardens’
- follow recommended protocols when working off-site or with climbing walls
Opportunities to
- become stronger and more agile
- move with increasing confidence and physical control
- work safely with others
- co-operate in solving problems when working with others
Questions
- What was the most difficult section of the trail and why?
- How did you decide where to put the stepping stones when you planned a route for another group?
- Why is it important to plan in this activity?
- How can you ensure you do not get stuck somewhere?
- What does the person in the front have to say or do to help the others following behind?
Can you see the child?
- Becoming stronger and more agile
- Moving with increasing confidence and physical control
- Working safely with others
- Co-operating in solving problems when working with others
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Most of the time
Encourage the child to:
- gradually increase the distance between markers
- work as a team with other more able children to complete the trail being connected together
- work with a partner to solve more complex problems e.g. scenario – rescuing a wounded eagle
- attempt more vertical trails/climbs
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Sometimes
Encourage the child to:
- discuss what they want to do and which spot they want to move to next; follow another more able child or a practitioner doing these activities
- choose where they would like to place the markers
- plan their trail/route first and then work with a more able child or a practitioner who calls instructions, etc.