Free walking on a line. Heel to toe walking. Walking holding something

Age
3-6

Materials

 * An ellipse drawn or painted on the floor, wide enough to allow a child to place his feet comfortably on the line (say 10cm wide).Note: If the class is large, it is advisable to paint a second ellipse inside the first one for a second group of children to walk on.
 * Flag.
 * Basket.
 * First cubes of the Pink Tower.
 * Bell.
 * Weight attached to a string.
 * Glass filled with water.

Preparation
This is a group presentation.

Presentation

 * 1) The Directress gets the children to stand on the lines with the smaller or slower children on the inside line.
 * 2) She spaces them out at equal distances round the ellipse and shows the children how to walk along the line, placing the whole foot on it, that is, covering it with the axis of his foot.
 * 3) Show the child how to place his foot exactly upon the line so that his heel and toe are both on it.
 * 4) Experience will show us that when a child moves forward with his feet in this position, it will seem like he is falling.
 * 5) That means the child needs to make an effort to keep his balance.
 * 6) When a child begins to walk confidently, the Directress encourages them to walk slowly and take smaller and smaller steps until they walk heel to toe along the line.
 * 7) This requires not only balancing but it also requires close attention so that he places his feet in their required positions.
 * 8) This exercise satisfies the ordinary instinct of children, which everyone has noticed, to walk on a plank or narrow bar.

Control Of Error
The line drawn on the floor provide guidelines for the child. Varies depending on what objects are used:


 * Noise of the bell
 * Basket falling of the head
 * Spillage of water

Points Of Interest
Gradually over a period of time, the children are introduced to various exercises, which keep their interest and encourage them to walk correctly.

Purpose
Direct aims: 


 * To refine the child's sense of balance.
 * To improve the child's poise.

Indirect aims: 


 * To develop the child's awareness of his body.
 * To improve the child's concentration and coordination of his movement.

Variation
The children walk heel to toe for all the following exercises:


 * If a child chooses to carry a flag, he is told to hold it up high. This helps him walk with his head up, without looking at his feet. They must pay attention not only to the way in which they place their feet on the line but also how they hold the flag in their hands. If they do not pay attention to the way they hold their arms, the flag will gradually droop. The children must be reminded to hold the flag well up.
 * A child may carry a flat basket on his head without using his hands.
 * A child may carry the smaller cubes of the Pink Tower on the palm of his dominant hand without dropping any.
 * Given a weight on a string, the child must not let the weight swing. The child will have to control the movement of his hand.
 * Children are handed a small wine glass filled with colored water (use food coloring). They must not let the water spill. Champagne coupes are more difficult to carry, so a few of these may also be provided.
 * Carrying a bell upright while walking without making a sound. If his mind wanders, it will be indicated by the sound of the bell when it moves.

All these different objects should be displayed on a low table so that the children may choose the ones they want and change them if they wish to do so.