Walking on the line is a traditional Montessori exercise for grace of movement. During the summer or in any nice weather, you could add extra interest to the activity by taking it outdoors.
Why not have a line hunt for straight lines?! Let your child walk on each line he or she finds (or along the edge of the line if the line itself will make balancing too difficult for your child’s level).
When your child is finished hunting for and walking on each line, you could show your child how to create straight lines with chalk and a yardstick, a jump rope, string, or another object your child chooses for creating more lines to walk on.
Your child could also create shapes other than a straight line. An older child could even create a perfect ellipse outdoors with chalk by using the directions on How to Make an Ellipse on the Floor from Montessori Messy (also helpful for classroom- and homeschool teachers who want to make an ellipse for group activities indoors).
Extensions that can be used outdoors for walking on the line:
Activity of the Week – Walking on the Line (my post featuring extensions from Nurturing the Tender Years and To the Lesson!)
Walking on the Line from Montessori Primary Guide
Montessori Walking on the Line Large Motor Movement from My Confessions of a Montessori Mom Blog
Walking on the Line from Montessori Mom
Walking the Line as an Aim Toward Reading and Writing from North American Montessori Center
Be creative. Maybe you could even use a permanent marker to draw a line in the bottom of a dry wading pool. Then let your child walk on the line in the water!
Have fun helping your child develop coordination and grace of movement outdoors! 🙂
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I will be thinking about this when I go outside with my son. He loves to balance on the edge of curbs all the time so he doesn’t “fall into the gator pit!” It will be interesting to see if he looks for other lines to use more often when he’s outside, or go with his usual standby!
Thanks for your comment, Heather! What a great idea your son has … love it! 🙂
I like the idea of helping my child practice their balance on the ellipse. We like you use painters tape to make a balancing line on the floor. We start with wide tape and then use the skinnier stuff. Thanks for sharing! I am stopping by from the Share Thread. Hope to see you at True Aim.
Thanks, Tulip! I have lots of wonderful memories of “line time” activities on that ellipse! 🙂
Great post. Perfect for summer days and something I can do with my almost 2 year old!
Thanks for your kind comment. That would be a great activity for an almost 2 year old! 🙂
Wonderful post Deb!! I love the water hose idea!! 🙂
Thanks, Kerri! It’s fun searching for lines even as an adult! 🙂
Love it! We use to play walking on the line when we were kids and now you have given me an idea for our outside play today! Thanks and I just love your blog. I am visiting from Preschool corner. Blessings!
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Mystiqua! It’s great to meet you! Blessings to you, too! 🙂
Hi Deb! Love this post. We just covered Walking the Line in my Montessori Training program. Such a wonderful activity for so many reasons. I love the extension of going outside. One of my instructors so daringly allows children to walk the line holding a glass of water. There are so many extensions that make this activity one of my favorites! 🙂
Thanks, Marnie! I always loved walking on the line activities, too. The extension of walking on the line holding a glass of water is a great one. How fun to be able to go through your training program when you can apply so many of the ideas right away! 🙂
The line idea is so simple and great!! Congrats too on being in the top 25!! 🙂
Thanks so much, Jolanthe! Congrats to you, too! 🙂
I love this idea! SO simple, yet engaging! Congrats on #11! Thank you for sharing this activity on The Sunday Showcase!
Thanks for your kind comment and for your congratulations! I really appreciate it! 🙂
This is such a great way to make learning/education a part of everyday life. Thank you for sharing at Saturday Show and Tell! I hope you’ll be back this week.
-Mackenzie
http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com
Thanks so much, Mackenzie! And I did link up again! 🙂
This is an interesting idea for outdoor fun! I am sharing it on my site’s Facebook page!
~Queen Mommy
http://www.facebook.com/MommyTrying2SurviveMonday
Thank You, Deb,
Now I can do something for my family. Actually, you are such a great writer and motivator. Thank You very much for your article. It will be very helpful for everyone.