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Activity of the Week – Walking on the Line

July 19, 2010 By Deb Chitwood 22 Comments

Walking the line. (Photo from Nurturing the tender years)

Walking on the line. (Photo from Nurturing the tender years)

This week’s activity of the week is an excellent Montessori practical-life exercise for developing poise, balance, and body awareness.

In Montessori schools, walking on the line is often used to help preschoolers develop control of movement. The exercise can improve attention and self-control as well.

Walking on the line can be an indoor activity using a string, jump rope, or colored tape on the floor. Sidewalk chalk can create a fun outdoor activity. In Montessori schools, the line on the floor is often in the shape of an ellipse.

Nurturing the tender years gives a number of extensions of the activity from walking to a beat to walking backwards on the line to tossing and catching a ball while walking on the line. Be sure to check them all out!

UPDATES: To the Lesson has a fun springtime extension.

I have more extensions in my posts with an outdoor line hunt and walking on the line and walking on the line for toddlers.

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Filed Under: Activities - Practical Life, Activity of the Week Tagged With: balance, Montessori, Nurturing the tender years, poise, practical life, walking on the line

Previous Post: « Learning to Read Can Be Just a Fun Game
Next Post: Can Montessori Principles Be Used to Teach P.E.? »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michelle says

    July 18, 2010 at 11:41 pm

    Oh, my two love this kind of activity. It seems so simple but it really does engage them and helps with their coordination. Visiting today from MM-

    Reply
    • Deb Chitwood says

      July 19, 2010 at 5:18 am

      Thanks for your visit, Michelle! It’s interesting how simple yet effective the activity is, isn’t it?!

      Reply
  2. Evelyn says

    July 19, 2010 at 1:42 am

    Hi there! I just found your blog through The Work Plan blog. Thanks for sharing this helpful info. I haven't done this with my 3yo yet.

    Blessings

    Reply
    • Deb Chitwood says

      July 19, 2010 at 5:20 am

      Thanks, Evelyn! Your 3-year-old is at a great age to introduce walking on the line. Have fun!

      Reply
  3. OARDC says

    July 19, 2010 at 6:37 am

    Isn't it amazing how something so simple can make such a difference? Following from Mingle Monday. 🙂

    Reply
    • Deb Chitwood says

      July 19, 2010 at 6:55 am

      Thanks for your comment! I’m always amazed at the brilliance of Montessori activities. They just make sense.

      Reply
  4. Kami says

    July 19, 2010 at 7:09 am

    Thanks for linking, glad people are finding it useful! 🙂

    Reply
    • Deb Chitwood says

      July 19, 2010 at 11:10 am

      Thanks for giving me permission to use your photo! I think the photos and extensions you have really help show how simple yet interesting walking on the line can be!

      Reply
  5. Joy says

    July 19, 2010 at 11:43 am

    Thank you for sharing! My kids love to do activities like this! Stopping by from Mingle Monday!

    Reply
    • Deb Chitwood says

      July 19, 2010 at 12:21 pm

      Thanks for visiting, Joy! I love that the activity is simple, inexpensive, and very helpful developmentally!

      Reply
  6. Evelyn says

    July 19, 2010 at 1:11 pm

    Hi Deb! Thanks for stopping by over my blog and leaving a comment. I just signed up to receive the Montessori quotes. What a great idea!

    Reply
    • Deb Chitwood says

      July 19, 2010 at 1:31 pm

      Thanks for signing up, Evelyn!

      Reply
  7. Rachel says

    July 19, 2010 at 1:37 pm

    Great activity! My kids love to walk along the edge of my garden as well…it's that balancing thing!

    Found you via mingle monday. 🙂

    Reply
    • Deb Chitwood says

      July 19, 2010 at 10:24 pm

      Thanks, Rachel! Maria Montessori developed the activity from observing children do those sorts of activities.

      Reply
  8. Robyn says

    July 19, 2010 at 8:33 pm

    Wonderful activity! My son always likes to hop on the edge of curbs, etc. What an excellent idea!

    Thanks for joining in on Mingle Monday!

    Robyn

    Reply
    • Deb Chitwood says

      July 19, 2010 at 4:26 pm

      Thanks for your visit and comment, Robyn! I think it’s great the way children know what they need!

      Reply
  9. Colleen - Sunrise Le says

    July 20, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    Love your blog! Comprehensive, well written, and interesting!

    Thank you also for the cool award you gave me!

    Have a Sunshine Award for you over at my blog:
    http://sunriselearninglab.blogspot.com/2010/07/co…

    Have a happy week!

    Colleen

    Reply
    • Deb Chitwood says

      July 21, 2010 at 6:40 am

      Wow! Thanks SO much, Colleen! I really appreciate your kind words – and the award is awesome! Brings sunshine to my week!

      Reply
  10. Dawn says

    July 21, 2010 at 7:15 am

    Hi! I hopped over from iFellowship today.

    We didn't use any Montessori methods but line walking is also great for special needs kids. My sons both struggle with bilateral coordination, muscle tone and strength issues, and having them walk on a line helps improve all of these things. It's also a great challenge! 🙂

    Reply
    • Deb Chitwood says

      July 21, 2010 at 9:46 am

      Thanks for stopping by, Dawn! I agree that walking on the line is great for special needs kids. I love the work you’ve done with special needs.

      Reply
  11. Penny says

    July 21, 2010 at 2:32 pm

    Hi! I’m visiting from iFellowship. You have a great looking blog!

    I would love for you to come visit me @ Living Above

    Have a great Wednesday!
    your sis in the faith

    http://www.pennyfranklin-livingaboveministries.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Deb Chitwood says

      August 3, 2010 at 6:44 am

      Thanks for visiting and for your comment, Penny! This had somehow gone into the wrong folder – I just found it. I’m on my way over to visit your blog now!

      Reply

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