The coordination game, working together for balance
Author: Bianca Oldenbeuving
Teacher and founder of Jufbianca
The aim of this game is to get the balls into the holes. To achieve this, the children need to work together very well. Not only does this game help with coordination, but it also involves many other areas of development!
What does the game consist of?
The coordination game is made of sturdy wood. It consists of a base with two sets of 4 ropes attached. The ropes have sturdy handles so that children's hands can hold them well. It also includes 3 large marbles and 3 wooden boards that can be placed in the base. This provides three game options and keeps it varied.
There are two boards where the task is simple: get the ball into the hole (or holes). The third board has a maze with various cutouts. The task here is less clear, allowing the children to discuss it.
The whole set fits into a supplied fabric bag. For those concerned: the supplied balls are made of wood and are 3 cm in diameter.
The goal
As mentioned, the children ensure the balls go into the holes. To do this, they grab the ropes and lift the tray. When playing this game with 4 children, each child takes two handles of the same color. The game can also be played with 5-8 players; the handles are then distributed among the children.
By lifting the tray with the ropes, an inclined plane is created, causing the ball to roll. Children can first experiment with this: what happens if I pull the ropes very hard? If the tray is too tilted, the ball falls over the edge. If the ropes remain too low, the tray lands on the ground.
Children playing this game will naturally start to discuss with each other. Often, one child will realize what needs to be done to get the ball into the hole.
“You need to go higher! No, you. No, the other way.”
Cooperative game
The first lesson is: what can you say to each other to make it work? Children can use positional terms like left, right, front, back, up, down. Young children quickly notice that 'left' can mean something different for everyone. They will still find it difficult to empathize with another and determine what another child sees. Older children can be pointed to this.
There are also children who get frustrated if things don't go as they imagine. Since this game can only be successfully completed if everyone cooperates, it's important that everyone keeps talking to each other. Children can learn how to encourage each other and work together as a team. This works better than everyone shouting over each other. Maybe a team leader needs to be appointed? It's interesting to observe how children position themselves in this. What role do children take on?
Advantages
Because this game is made of wood, it is sturdy enough to play with outside. Of course, it can also be used indoors, in the gym, play area, or simply in the classroom or living room. Not much space is needed to play the game, but 4-8 children can still work with it simultaneously.
Children who play this game work on multiple goals at once. They are engaged in coordination, balance, learning about technical concepts, and can use language to indicate a place. Moreover, they work together, which promotes team spirit and can be very enjoyable.
Young and old can play this game, each at their own level. For preschoolers, it's enough to see if they can get the ball into the hole. Older children could even make a competition out of it: how long does it take for all three balls to be in the holes? Mixing young and older children can be tricky: point out to the children the difference in height and what that does to the balance of the tray.
Disadvantages
There are 3 game boards included with this game, while many more possibilities could exist. Handy people might even make their own game boards, with new tracks and holes, making the possibilities endless.
Another disadvantage could be that you need a minimum of 4 players to play this game. This makes it less suitable for home, but it can certainly be used well in the classroom.
Conclusion
This coordination game is fun to have in the classroom, it is certainly suitable for groups 2, 3, 4 and 5. Higher groups can also enjoy it, but will probably get bored of it sooner. Everyone can participate: young, old, motorically skilled or not, even children in wheelchairs can enjoy this game!
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