Why Crawl and Deliver works

Set the first round up so short is easy to read. The aim is to make the later decision around lane feel earned by what happened earlier, not added arbitrarily.

Set up — Create a short crawling lane on a clean floor with nothing overhead

No special materials are needed before the child is asked to create a short crawling lane on a clean floor with nothing overhead. Use the result of having the child create a short crawling lane on a clean floor with nothing overhead as the setup for the move into put one soft lightweight object at the starting point. Keep the floor clear and the movement controlled while that starting condition is being established.

Step 2 — Put one soft lightweight object at the starting point

Give the child time to put one soft lightweight object at the starting point and notice the result. The following instruction to the child crawls to the delivery spot, places the object down, turns around on hands and knees and crawls back should use what they learned after previously trying to create a short crawling lane on a clean floor with nothing overhead.

Step 3 — The child crawls to the delivery spot, places the object down, turns…

Allow room for a mistake while the child tries to the child crawls to the delivery spot, places the object down, turns around on hands and knees and crawls back. A self-correction here is more useful than fast repetition before the child moves on to check the floor for small objects before starting.

Step 4 — Check the floor for small objects before starting

After the child tries to check the floor for small objects before starting, ask one brief question about the result. Connect their answer to the next request to change the soft delivery item, add one around-the-cushion direction rather than explaining it for them.

Step 5 — Change the soft delivery item, add one around-the-cushion direction

Have the child change the soft delivery item, add one around-the-cushion direction before offering a solution. What happens here should help them understand how to change the soft delivery item, add one around-the-cushion direction, especially compared with the earlier request to check the floor for small objects before starting.

What to notice before Change the soft delivery item, add one around-the-cushion…

Keep adult commentary light while the child works toward check the floor for small objects before starting. Their own response should show whether the child can change action or direction deliberately without losing control before the activity finishes with the request to change the soft delivery item, add one around-the-cushion direction.

Make The child crawls to the delivery spot,… easier or harder

For younger or less confident players, shorten the route, slow the pace, or use fewer actions before the step to the child crawls to the delivery spot, places the object down, turns around on hands and knees and crawls back. If the child asks for more, add one remembered action or direction change without increasing speed and then return to the final request to change the soft delivery item, add one around-the-cushion direction.

Finish after Change the soft delivery item, add one around-the-cushion…

Change the soft delivery item, add one around-the-cushion direction. Close on that result so the child leaves with one clear idea from the activity. Find the next activity in the activity search, or make a new one with the activity generator.