Jumping Lily Pads III
Parent and child pretend to be frogs jumping between hula hoops (lily pads) while collecting balls. The agent coaches the parent to observe jumping coordination, weight shifting during throwing, and playful engagement — building gross motor skills and imaginative play.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Five hula hoops or taped circles spaced apart on floor. One small soft ball in each hoop. Bucket or basket placed 5-6 feet away. Clear, safe floor space for jumping.
How it works
- 1~40s
Start by getting into character! Tell your child you're both frogs looking for a home. Stand together in one hoop, then demonstrate jumping with both feet together to the next 'lily pad.' Watch how your child jumps — does they lift both feet at the same time and land together? Even a small hop where both feet leave the ground counts. Tell me what you notice about their jumping form.
Watch for: Child jumps forward with both feet leaving and landing together, showing coordinated two-foot jumping.
- 2~45s
Now add the collecting part! When you land on a lily pad, pick up the ball and pretend it's a frog treasure. Show your child how to throw it toward the bucket using your whole body — step forward, shift your weight, and swing your arm. Watch how your child throws. Does they use just their arm, or does their whole body get involved? Notice any weight shift or stepping motion.
Watch for: Child uses whole-body coordination when throwing — shifts weight, steps, or rotates torso to aim.
- 3~50s
Let's play a full round! Hop from pad to pad, collect all the treasures, and throw them home. This time, focus on the imaginative play. Is your child getting into the frog character? Does they add any own ideas — maybe ribbit sounds, or pretend the balls are bugs? Notice how the story aspect enhances their engagement and persistence.
Watch for: Child engages in pretend play by adopting role (frog), adding imaginative elements to the activity.