Activity
Move Myself
Teach positional concepts to students as they relate objects' positions to their own body.
This activity has been revised and was originally created by Charlotte Cushman and published in the Perkins Activity and Resource Guide (1st edition, 1992). The second edition is available for purchase.
As part of reinforcing body awareness, this activity helps students develop an understanding of positional concepts while working on following directions. Lessons include English Language Arts, Social Skills and Orientation & Mobility.
Real items in the environment – furniture, fixtures, outdoor plantings
Begin by having students place themselves in relation to objects in their environment. Try some of the following examples.
- On the chair
- In the tub
- Under the table
- Next to the piano
- Through the door
- Over the log behind the door
- Across the bridge
- In front of the sink
- Set up an obstacle course to reinforce these concepts.
- Have the student move her whole body or just one part: “Put your knee next to the desk.”
- Get a box from a refrigerator or other large appliance to practice these concepts, so that students can experience positioning themselves “in” and “out.”
Hint: Label positional concepts as students move through their routine: “Let’s go through the door and across the grass. Now we’re sitting on the bench next to the swings.”
