Rocket Countdown Jumps
What you need
- a clear patch of floor space
How to do it
- Crouch down low together like rockets waiting on the launch pad.
- Count down slowly from five, getting quieter and smaller with every number.
- On "Blast off!" jump as high as you can and zoom round the room with your arms above your heads.
- Land back on the launch pad, crouch down, and let your child do the countdown next time.
Why it matters
Waiting through the countdown is the hard part; after five slow numbers, the jump at the end feels enormous.
What they're learning
- Counting backwards
- Five, four, three, two, one.
- Crouch and spring
- Low down, then up high.
- Waiting for zero
- Holding still until blast off.
What to look for
Notice them staying crouched right up to the last number.
A tip
Clear the space of toys and sharp corners before blast off, and land on a rug rather than a slippery floor.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: count down from three
Harder: count down from ten and add a tricky landing: on one foot, or frozen like a statue
