Hula Hoop Harvest Game
Supports agricultural awareness, STEM integration, literacy, and social-emotional development at the IPC Level 3 stage.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS At the Farm
- Learning area: Gross Motor
- Level: EYFS Reception
Objectives
- Developmentally appropriate objectives aligned to IPC Level 3 for Hula Hoop Harvest Game.
Materials
- Level-appropriate farm-themed materials and manipulatives.
Instructions
Materials
- 5 to 7 hula hoops in assorted colours
- 20 to 30 plastic or wooden pretend vegetables
- 4 to 5 small baskets or crates
- Masking tape for marking start lines
- A stopwatch or timer
- Printed farm-themed cards for sorting
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate spatial awareness by navigating through hoops without touching the edges.
- Refine gross motor coordination through balancing, jumping, and rapid movement.
- Categorize objects by type or colour during a timed physical challenge.
- Follow multi-step directions within a group setting.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Arrange the hula hoops in a winding path across the floor to represent a garden row.
2. Place the baskets at the end of the path and scatter the pretend vegetables inside the hoops.
3. Explain to the children that they are farmers who must harvest the crops before the sun sets.
4. Demonstrate the movement pattern for the children, such as hopping into hoops on one foot or jumping with both feet together.
5. Divide the class into small groups to ensure each child has space to move safely.
6. Instruct the children to pick up one vegetable from each hoop as they move through the course.
7. Use the timer to add a sense of urgency, encouraging children to complete the harvest within a set timeframe.
8. Once the vegetables are in the baskets, ask the children to sort them by colour or vegetable type.
9. Rotate the children so everyone has a turn to navigate the path and participate in the sorting process.
Educator Tip
To increase the challenge for advanced learners, introduce a rule where they must perform a specific farm animal movement, such as flapping like a chicken, between each hoop. If children struggle with balance, simplify the path by placing the hoops flat on the floor in a straight line to encourage walking rather than jumping.
Assessment
- Observe the child's ability to maintain balance while moving through the hoop course.
- Note the child's accuracy in sorting the harvested items into the correct categories.
- Record the child's ability to follow the sequence of the game independently.
Educator tip
Guided questioning to encourage language, reasoning, and participation. Differentiate for ability levels; incorporate sensory supports; ensure safety.
Assessment
Assess against Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Document evidence of 'expected' or 'exceeding' descriptors. Note: independent application of skills, ability to explain reasoning, and capacity to build on prior learning. Observation checklist or rubric aligned to developmental stage.