Walk the Line

 From inside....

...to outside

'Walking the line' I first learned in Montessori education. By far, my favourite activities with children are those that are simple to create and have unlimited learning value. 'Walk the line' definitely fits the bill. It encourages concentration, balance, rhythm and movement. There are many variations you can create for your child's developmental level.

All you need is masking tape. 

Carpet is a more practical surface than flooring simply because it is relatively mess free to peel masking tape off of carpet. Floor also works though.

You can create whatever pattern you like:

~a simple line

~a 'maze' structure (above)

~a more complex maze with dead-ends & trick passages

~letters

~numbers

~lines leading out of the room to secret treasures

In Montessori lesson the children are encouraged to walk the square to soft music. My guess is to help keep things slow-moving. Though my experience has noted this is not very effective; every classroom has at least one child who insists on being at the front of the line or has a strong need to run all of the time! Montessori uses the line walk to practice carrying trays. This does not slow down the marathon child either!

You can also:

~change the music to encourage slow & fast movement

~have one child call out different ways of moving; hop, skip, sidestep, gallop, forwards, backwards
~have the 'leader' of the line determine the type of movement

~stop & start the music for a 'freeze' game

~use coloured tape for 'colour hopping' (much like Twister)

Most enjoyed when you think outside the box!