Hula Hoop Harvest Game
Supports agricultural awareness, STEM integration, literacy, and social-emotional development at the Toddler stage.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS At the Farm
- Learning area: Gross Motor
- Level: EYFS 2-3
Objectives
- Developmentally appropriate objectives aligned to Toddler for Hula Hoop Harvest Game.
Materials
- Level-appropriate farm-themed materials and manipulatives.
Instructions
Materials
- Three to five plastic hula hoops in different colours.
- Ten to fifteen soft, plush toy vegetables or farm-themed beanbags.
- Two large wicker baskets for storage.
- Masking tape for marking boundaries.
- A portable music player for background farm sounds.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate the ability to grasp and release objects with intentionality.
- Practise basic locomotor skills such as walking or crawling toward a target.
- Develop spatial awareness by placing objects inside a designated boundary.
- Follow simple, one-step verbal directions provided by the teacher.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Clear a safe, open space in the classroom and lay the hula hoops flat on the floor to represent garden plots.
2. Place the plush vegetables in a central basket near the teacher.
3. Gather the toddlers in a circle and show them one plush vegetable, naming it clearly.
4. Model the action by picking up a vegetable, walking to a hoop, and placing the item inside the circle.
5. Encourage the children to pick up one vegetable from the basket and walk or crawl toward the hoops.
6. Provide physical assistance or gentle guidance to help children navigate toward the hoops if they become distracted.
7. Celebrate each successful placement with positive reinforcement, such as clapping or verbal praise.
8. Allow children to move freely between the hoops, focusing on the sensory experience of the soft toys rather than strict rules.
9. Conclude the activity by singing a simple cleanup song to gather the vegetables back into the baskets.
Educator Tip
If a toddler struggles to understand the goal, sit inside the hoop yourself to create a visual invitation. Keep the session brief, as toddlers often lose interest after ten minutes of repetitive motion. You can extend the activity by adding a sorting element, such as asking children to put only orange vegetables in one specific hoop.
Assessment
- Observe if the child can successfully transport an object from the basket to the hoop.
- Note the child's ability to navigate around obstacles or other peers while moving.
- Record whether the child responds to simple verbal prompts like put it in or walk to the hoop.
Educator tip
Guided questioning to encourage language, reasoning, and participation. Differentiate for ability levels; incorporate sensory supports; ensure safety.
Assessment
Observe and note: emerging independence, two-word combinations, imitation of actions, and early pretend play. Use Development Matters non-statutory guidance checkpoints. Observation checklist or rubric aligned to developmental stage.