Learning is best done without a textbook. Sometimes we have to play to learn. Hopscotch is a game that can be adapted for educational purposes. This is especially helpful for very active kiddos who cannot sit without squirming in their seats. However, any child will love to hop to learn.
How to make my hopscotch play area:
Traditionally, hopscotch was drawn by kids with sidewalk chalk. That is still one of the best ways since it is inexpensive and no need to worry about moving it when it’s time to go in or someone is pulling in your driveway. In many stores today you can find hopscotch mats that are perfect for indoor or outdoor use. This makes it easy and fast to set up, easy to roll up and store, and great for rainy or snowy days. You may also find foam hopscotch puzzle piece sets that easily fit together, durable for outdoor use, great for indoor use, and easy to dismantle and store. Just be sure not to lose or destroy pieces or you no longer have your hopscotch game. If you want a low cost indoor hopscotch game try using pieces of construction paper to make your game but find a safe away to adhere it to your floor. You can also use a very large cardboard box (from a fridge or water heater) to draw on a hopscotch board. Another wonderful alternative is using a clear or opaque shower curtain with permanent markers to make your indoor hopscotch board.
Fun educational games to play on your hopscotch board:
The basic way to play hopscotch is great for teaching number recognition to your child. The child throws a stone or small object on the board to land on one square. The child must say the number and count to that number before hopping.
Substitute letters for numbers on your hopscotch board to teach letter recognition. Once your child throws her stone, have her say the letter it lands on and if possible say the sound and something that starts with the letter.
Instead of numbers, you will want to write simple words on each square. Get rid of your stone and cut out pictures of the words on your board and place in a bag. Draw a picture and have your child hop on the word associated with the picture.
Replace the numbers 1-10 with higher numbers so your child can toss dye and jump on the sum!
If you want to have fun with an older child, you can adapt the game to historical dates. Put dates in the squares instead of numbers and have the child draw from a bag a historical event. The child must hop on the correct date for the historical even pulled.
I’m sure you can think of many more ways to involve hopscotch in your school day! Periodic table, counting by 2s, place value, letter blends, and so much more can used for those children who learn best in action.
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