10 CHAPTER 1 Bounce and Balance Create a bouncing experience for children by setting up a variety of bouncing equipment. As children bounce, help them measure how high they are bounc- ing. Encourage them to express how they feel while they are bouncing and after they stop bouncing. LMPE MATERIALS various types of bouncing equipment (such as inner tubes, playground equip- ment with springs, an air mattress, a large bouncing ball with a handle, or a minitrampoline) ! Safety Note: Do not use large trampolines. Limit participation so you can closely supervise all bouncing activities. Allow only one child on the equip- ment at a time. Ask extra adults to supervise and spot children. Reinforce proper safety by using appropriate safety equipment. Check recall notices prior to use of trampolines. OTHER IDEAS Show children objects, and have them guess which ones will bounce. Let them try to balance the objects on their feet, stomachs, hands, and heads while lying down and standing up. When objects fall off, help chil- dren measure how high they bounce. Introduce the word collision, and explain that a collision occurs when something bounces. As follow-up, look for and discuss other collisions. LMPS Encourage children to raise one leg and balance on the other. Then ask them to return the lifted leg to the ground and raise the opposite leg, balancing on the other side. Repeat the activity, but ask children to hop up and down on the balancing leg while the other is raised. LPE Use any combination of the follow- ing materials to create an obstacle course inside or outside: a flat rope to create a curved path; long, nar- row boards to create a straight path; large, sturdy building blocks and/ or clean tires end to end to form a long, low, raised surface. Have children take turns crawling, walk- ing, and hopping across the surface without falling off. LPSE