Germ Tag
Toddlers internalize routines through repetition and movement. 'Germ Tag' supports emerging independence and safety awareness.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Health, Safety and Hygiene
- Learning area: Gross Motor
- Level: EYFS 2-3
Objectives
- Identify body parts
- Imitate hygiene routines
- Follow 1-step safety directions
Instructions
Materials
- One large, soft fabric ball or a beanbag
- Brightly coloured painter tape to mark a boundary line
- A portable music player
- Printed pictures of germs or cartoon microbes
- A hand-washing station or wet wipes for post-activity cleanup
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate basic spatial awareness by moving within a defined area.
- Follow simple verbal instructions such as stop, go, and run.
- Engage in turn-taking through a simplified game structure.
- Develop gross motor coordination through running and reaching movements.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Clear a safe, open space in the classroom or outdoor area and use painter tape to create a large circle.
2. Gather the children and show them the pictures of germs, explaining that germs are tiny things that make us feel sick.
3. Explain that the soft ball represents a germ that needs to be chased away.
4. Demonstrate how to gently toss or roll the ball across the floor while encouraging the children to follow it.
5. Play upbeat music to signal the start of the game and encourage the toddlers to move toward the ball.
6. When the music stops, model how to freeze in place to practise impulse control.
7. Encourage the children to pick up the ball and pass it to a friend or place it in a designated basket to get rid of the germ.
8. Remind the children that after touching the germ ball, they must wash their hands to stay healthy.
9. Lead the group to the hand-washing station to practise the hygiene routine immediately after the game.
Educator Tip
Toddlers often struggle with the concept of tagging others, so focus this activity on chasing the object rather than each other. If the group becomes overstimulated, reduce the number of children participating at one time or lower the volume of the music to keep the energy manageable.
Assessment
- Observe if the child stays within the taped boundaries during the movement phase.
- Note if the child responds to the music stopping by freezing or slowing down.
- Record whether the child participates in the hand-washing routine after the activity concludes.
Educator tip
Use choice questions; keep groups small; accept approximations; keep transitions fast.
Assessment
Observe and note: emerging independence, two-word combinations, imitation of actions, and early pretend play. Use Development Matters non-statutory guidance checkpoints. Observe imitation, participation, simple labelling.