Peg relay

Materials Required

1. Several clothes pegs
2. String or rope (about 1 metre long)
3. Two tying off points: maybe trees (outside) or top of dining chairs (inside)
4. Small tub or basket to hold the pegs, Timer (optional)

Preparation

Collect the pegs and string – Locate a suitable spot to tie the string at child’s shoulder height. This spot will need to have something to tie string onto at each end, about 1 metre apart (i.ie. trees in the yard, or chairs inside) and space to allow you to move between the pegs and the string.

Method (or Ideas)

1. Tie the string across with your child.
2. Place the pegs in a pile (or in the basket) some distance away from the line (could be a short or long distance depending how much space you have).
3. The game is to see how quickly you can put all the pegs on the line and take them back off again. Use a timer or a family member can count the time.
4. Players can have a race with the same number of pegs each or have a relay with some players putting all the pegs on and other players taking them all off.
5. This game can be just you and your child or involve other family members.

Facilitation Tips – What To Say

• How many pegs do we have?
• What colour pegs do we have?
• If using a timer: how long did the race take?
• Can you do it faster next time?
• What other ways can we move to the line? (e.g. jump, hop, tiptoe)

Extend the Experience

• Extend the distance between the pile of pegs and the line (walk/run across the yard or down the hallway).
• Have different tubs and different coloured pegs and players can sort the pegs.
• Decide on different ways to move to the line and back: jumping, walk backwards, hopping, side stepping.

WHO Guidelines for Physical Activity & Sedentary Behaviour

This activity will get you moving! If there is space, you can be running as fast as you can.

Putting pegs on a line (and taking them off) is a fun way to build finger strength and coordination.

Early Years Learning Framework

Outcomes

1. Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing
2. Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity

Principle

Principle 1: Secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships. Through a widening network of secure relationships, children develop confidence and feel respected and valued.

Practice

Practice: Learning through play. Play can expand children’s thinking and enhance their desire to know and to learn. In these ways play can promote positive dispositions towards learning. Children’s immersion in their play illustrates how play enables them to simply enjoy being.