Playing on High Edges

Wide and high edges in the local environment offer many opportunities for varied movement and play. Edges come in different heights and shapes, so choose activities that suit the specific edge you are using. If the edge is high, children can gain strong mastery experiences through risky but controlled play. Always focus on play, safety, and the children's participation.

Activity Tips

• Let the children climb up and jump down from the edge. How many different ways can you climb up? Can you find even more ways to jump down? How far can you jump?
• Investigate if it's possible to jump over the edge like a leapfrog.
• Try to balance along the edge like a «bear», with both hands and feet on the edge. Which other animals can «crawl» or «slither» along the edge?
• Walk along the edge and swing one leg outside while bending your knees deeply with each step.
• On an edge that is not very high, children can place their hands on the edge, jump up with both feet simultaneously, and jump down again with one foot on each side. Use the same technique to jump further along the edge – maybe you can pretend to be gorillas moving their hands forward with each jump.
• Sit astride the edge and lift your bottom up with the help of your arms. Can you gently move forward with each lift?
• Sit with both feet on one side of the edge, lift yourselves up with your arms and move so that your feet end up on the opposite side - back and forth.

Challenge: On a high edge, you can try to stand on your hands with your feet supported along the edge. Place your feet on the edge and your hands on the ground. Can you move your hands and feet sideways along the edge?