Why Cushion Tap Circuit works

Move around a small circuit and tap cushions with a hand, foot, elbow or knee according to the caller’s cue. Place three or four firm cushions flat on the floor with generous space between them.

Set up — Place three or four firm cushions flat on the floor with generous…

Prepare household items before the child is asked to place three or four firm cushions flat on the floor with generous space between them. Keep the space simple enough that the child can move from place three or four firm cushions flat on the floor with generous space between them to choose a starting point where the child can stand comfortably without rearranging everything. Keep the floor clear and the movement controlled while the child works through the first instruction to place three or four firm cushions flat on the floor with generous space between them.

Step 2 — Choose a starting point where the child can stand comfortably

After completing the instruction to choose a starting point where the child can stand comfortably, pause and ask what changed from the earlier step where they had to place three or four firm cushions flat on the floor with generous space between them. Use that answer to decide whether they are ready to call one cushion and one body part: hand tap, foot tap, elbow tap or knee tap.

Step 3 — Call one cushion and one body part: hand tap, foot tap, elbow…

Keep the adult prompt brief while the child tries to call one cushion and one body part: hand tap, foot tap, elbow tap or knee tap. If needed, return to the earlier step to choose a starting point where the child can stand comfortably before asking them to the child walks to the cushion, makes one gentle tap and returns to the start.

Step 4 — The child walks to the cushion, makes one gentle tap and returns…

Keep the pace slow while the child tries to the child walks to the cushion, makes one gentle tap and returns to the start. If the effect is hard to see, simplify that action before continuing with the instruction to cushions stay flat and are targets, not stepping platforms.

Step 5 — Cushions stay flat and are targets, not stepping platforms

Treat the attempt to cushions stay flat and are targets, not stepping platforms as a checkpoint between the earlier step to the child walks to the cushion, makes one gentle tap and returns to the start and the coming step to cushions stay flat and are targets, not stepping platforms. A perfect answer is not required.

What to notice before Cushions stay flat and are targets, not stepping…

Use the attempt to call one cushion and one body part: hand tap, foot tap, elbow tap or knee tap as the observation point. If the child understands why they are next asked to the child walks to the cushion, makes one gentle tap and returns to the start, the final request to cushions stay flat and are targets, not stepping platforms should feel connected.

Make Call one cushion and one body part:… easier or harder

A shorter version can finish after the child has tried to call one cushion and one body part: hand tap, foot tap, elbow tap or knee tap, using this support: shorten the route, slow the pace, or use fewer actions. An advanced version can continue to cushions stay flat and are targets, not stepping platforms after you add one remembered action or direction change without increasing speed.

Finish after Cushions stay flat and are targets, not stepping…

Cushions stay flat and are targets, not stepping platforms. Finish the activity there rather than repeating the same successful cycle. For another activity, use the activity search or create one with the activity generator.