Beginners  If a child is struggling, do the activity next to them slowly with verbal instruction.

Intermediate  If easily achieved increase the speed of the hops to make it more challenging and fun.

Advanced  Do the activity with the eyes closed moving forward in a straight line.

Special Needs  With clear instruction and patience, this important developmental activity can be achieved. Place your hands on the feet or hands to help a child learn to keep one part of the body still while the other part moves.

The children start in a crouched position with their feet together and hands placed on the floor in front of them.

By giving the verbal prompting: “hands-feet, hands-feet”, the children move the hands forward, followed by the feet.

Ensure that the children move both hands forward at the same time and then both feet forward at the same time.

Encourage the children to say the words “hands-feet” to themselves as they continue hopping forwards to help them get the rhythm of the activity.

If a child does more of a monkey run moving the hands and feet at different times, do the activity next to them so they can see and copy your movements.

To move different body parts consecutively is an important developmental skill. Be sure that every child does this activity correctly.

Have the children move in a straight line in the same direction. This will prevent them from bumping into each other.

Beginners: If a child struggles with the hop onto one foot, hold their hand to help them balance.

Intermediate: With practice, the children should be able to jump from both legs at the same time when jumping onto one leg with the free leg held in a relaxed position.

Advanced: If easily achieved, have the children alternate doing the hop on the left and the right leg.

Special Needs: Give support where needed, for both jumping and hopping.  Follow the above teaching progressions as needed.

Have the children line up behind the set of hoops laid ready for hopscotch.

Place the hoops as shown in the photo.

Demonstrate how to do hopscotch so the children understand each movement. Emphasize the jump with both feet and the hop onto one foot.

The first jump is into the double hoops with one foot in each hoop. The second hop is onto one leg in the single hoop by jumping evenly from both feet. The next jump is onto both feet in the next two hoops. This continues until the child reaches the end of the hoops.

On reaching the last set of double hoops, the child runs back to the end of the line. The next child can start their hopscotch turn.

The hop onto one leg can be challenging. It can be helpful to hold the hand of the child for just this section of the activity until the momentum and balance needed to do the activity correctly is achieved.

This activity can be used as a transition from one place to another without the hoops.

If your child struggles with balance, stand nearby to assist as needed. Be sure the. hoops lay flat on the floor so are not a tripping hazard.

Video: Supports all levels

Beginner: Allow the children to use their hands if needed to guide the ball.

Intermediate / Advanced: Encourage small controlled taps of the ball using the head

The children must kneel on the floor and place their hands in front of them. The ball is placed in front and between the hands.

The children pretend to be a blindworm and must push their food from one side of the an area to another. The children do not need to close their eyes during this activity and can lift their head to check where the ball is should it roll away. By using the top of the head makes it “blind” activity.

Only the top of their head or the forehead must be used to gently push and guide their “food” in a forward direction. The hands should not touch the ball.

There will be run away balls and there will be children who may push the ball too hard with their head instead of gently nudging it. Encourage control and gentleness with this activity.

If the children need to share a ball, the activity can be done as a relay. One child pushes the ball across the movement area and another child pushes it back.

When their heads are down they may not see others or obstacles near by, ensure the pathway is clear. If outside, be sure there are no rocks or thorns that may hurt the hands and knees.

Video: Supports Intermediate Level

Beginners  If a child cannot yet hop continuously on one leg, have them only hop forwards in one row of hoops. Hold a hand for support if needed.

Intermediate  Hopping to the one side will be more challenging than to the other. Encourage the children to steady their balance between hops.

Advanced  The activity can be done using both the left and right leg. Encourage consistent hopping throughout.

Special Needs  This is a challenging activity. You can start with just two hoops in a row, then increase to three, adjust the activity as needed.

Two rows of three hoops are placed on the floor next to each other, resulting in three sets of double hoops.

A hop is done on the same leg in each hoop moving from the first hoop sideways then forwards and sideways and forwards and sideways until a hop is done in every hoop.

Hopping sideways is challenging. Encourage the children to keep hopping and to control their balance after each hop.

Emphasise if a child is hopping on their left or right leg so they learn which is their dominant side.

Encourage the children to keep their free leg up without touching the floor during the activity.

If a child struggles with balance stand nearby in case you need to catch them should they trip on a hoop or to support them when they struggle.

Video: Supports all levels
Beginners  Throw the ball gently towards the child’s head and have them bop the ball with their head as it comes towards them. This will help them learn the timing needed for the activity and it is easier for them to see the oncoming ball.

Intermediate  If the upward throw is challenging, throw the ball for them and then let them move in to bop the ball with their head.

Advanced  The children can try to bop the ball upwards a second or third time which is quite difficult.

Special Needs  Start with the beginner’s teaching suggestions and progress from there.

The children stand feet apart in a a line facing forwards and holding a ball. The hands must be placed under the ball ready to throw it upwards.

The ball must be thrown in a straight line upward in front of the face and not in a forward direction.

It is important to have a few meters of space in front, as the ball is likely to bounce forwards or sideways.

After throwing the ball the children move directly under the ball and as it comes down they propel or bop it up into the air  using the top of the head.

Encourage the children to throw the ball fairly high, to begin with, to give them time to get under the ball and successfully bop it upwards again.

After bopping the ball, they must quickly run and collect their ball and then join the line to try again.

If the ball is thrown forwards it is impossible to achieve the activity.

Depending on the space you have, either have all the children bop their ball upwards at the same time or have one child at a time take their turn.

If a child struggles with the upward throw check that their hands are correctly placed under the ball.

If a ball needs to be shared have the partner stand a safe distance away and collect the ball after it has been bopped. They can then have their turn at bopping the ball.

Have at least two meters of space between children and do the activity with all the children facing the same on instruction to prevent collisions.

Video  Supports all levels

Beginners  If hopping repeatedly on one leg is still difficult, support the child by holding their hand or arm as they hop. Let them stop and rest when needed.

Intermediate  Encourage the children to hop over the rope as many times as they can and to keep their hops small and fast.

Advanced  The hops can be done on both the left and right leg.

Special Needs  Follow the above suggestions and give support as needed.

Show the children how to lay out their rope in a straight line starting from a floor shape if possible.

If you do not have enough ropes for each child, put the children into groups according to the number of ropes.

The ropes should have at least one meter of space between them.

On instruction the children hop forwards from one side of the rope over to the other until the end of the rope is reached.

Encourage small, controlled hops with the hopping foot close to the rope at all times.

The children can turn around and hop back or run back to their starting place.

Remind the children to have their free leg relaxed and hanging during the activity.

Have a safe space between children.