Hopscotch is a game played outside where the players throw a twig or bean bag onto a numbered pattern of squares marked on the ground. We will be showing you a number of ways this game can help benefit your child’s learning.
How to play a game of Hopscotch
- You need a piece of chalk and pavement to be able to draw 10 boxes and number them. (If you are doing this inside you could make boxes with masking tape.)
- Now you take a twig or a bean bag and try to throw it into a square. (If you miss a square, you miss a go.)
- Next, you hop on one foot onto the first empty single square, then use both feet to jump into the double squares, and so on in sequence. Make sure you do not jump onto the square where the twig or bean bag landed.
- When you reach number 10, hop onto this square with both feet and then turn around and head back to number one, following the instructions as before. (However, when you get to your twig or bean bag, pick it up when you reach it but still balancing on one foot).
- When it is your next turn, take the twig or bean bag and then throw it to the next number one higher than you got before. Whoever reaches number 10 first wins the game.
Benefits of Hopscotch
There are many areas that will support a child’s development playing Hopscotch. Here are a few listed below.
- Movement
- Balance
- Body control
- Strength
- Hand and Eye co-ordination
- Gross motor skills
- Mathematical development – number recognition and counting
- Social – turn taking
Numbers
The numbers 1-10 are written in each square. You could ask your child to write them and they then could sound out the letters for each number they are writing. Not only will this encourage sounds but will also help sequence in numbers with what number comes next.
As your child gets used to the counting and sequence, try putting in place simple adding and taking away numbers. For example, what is 5 take away 1 and your child then throws the twig or bean bag onto the number they think is the answer. This gives your child a mathematical problem to solve.
Letters and words
Another way of incorporating letters into this game is using letters in the squares instead of numbers. Your child can sound the letter the twig or bean bag lands on. You can go through the alphabet or even used a mixed group of letters.
Encourage simple words your child can start to read, by using cat, dog or mat in the squares. This is a fun way to help a child with their next steps of reading.
You can also bring into the game familiar words, like your child’s name, mummy, daddy, your pets name or their siblings.
This is a fun way to make even more learning opportunities in this game and gets you all active outside in the fresh air.