Space Ship

Aside from being an activity that kids won't want to stop, this game allows for both fantasy exploration and good solid exercise. A chance also to see where kids are in motor development.

Objectives

Children age 5-5 ½ can jump from height of 12” and land on toes only GM IV A
ages 3 can jump off platform landing on two feet GM IV A
and all ages can participate in imitating rolling, crawling, and role playing Cog. IV A

Materials

"Space Ship"--indoor climber covered with sheets or other improvised enclosure;gym mats or rug; obstacles such as tunnel, tires, or boxes; record of electronic music or other "space travel" sounding music.

Procedures

Everyone gathers in the space ship. "We are going on an adventure to many different planets. Each planet is different so we have to do different things on each one." Any degree of suspense can be created—unknown dangers are suspected. While children wait in the ship, teacher arranges a surprise planet visit.

PLANETS:

1. The "Rolling Planet: ”Place mats all over the floor and children roll out of ship and across mats. Then return to the ship.

2. "Crawling Planet: "Put out obstacles for children to crawl through and around. Look for contra-lateral arm and leg movements, i.e. bringing opposite arm and leg forward at the same time. Demonstrate this movement while leading children through the planet and back to the ship.

3. "Swimming Planet." All swim across floors on stomachs, using arm and leg movements.

4. "Jumping Planet: "Place a platform to jump off of at the door of the space ship. Younger children will land on one foot before bringing the other foot down. Landing on both feet simultaneously is a later development. Encourage children to bend knees as they land.



Any movements can be included—fast, slow, spinning, hopping, etc. Sounds can also be incorporated with movements. Ask children what kind of planet they wish to visit and use their ideas.

After each trip out of the space ship and onto the “planet”, the children all return to the space ship. This gives them a centering place so the transitions are smooth. The children can buckle in and blast off each time the voyage to a new planet begins, counting down each time.