Childhood101

playing. learning. growing.

  • Learning Activities
    • Mathematics
    • Literacy
    • Social Emotional Learning
    • Distance Learning Resources
    • Coding for Kids
    • Science & Nature
    • Art & Craft
    • Holidays/Celebrations
    • Best Books for Kids
    • Products We Love
  • Play Ideas
    • Group Games for Kids
    • Sensory Play Ideas
    • Outdoor Play
    • Fun Play Spaces
    • Pretend Play
    • Lego Challenges
  • PRINTABLES
  • Books for Kids
    • Picture Books
    • Chapter Books
    • Graphic Novels
  • Activities By Age
    • School Age Learners
    • Pre+K Learners
    • Toddler Play
    • Baby Play
  • SHOP

Left and Right Games: Fancy Footwork

Young children learn abstract concepts, like distinguishing left from right, much more readily when the learning is active, engaging and playful.

This activity, we’re calling it Fancy Footwork, engaged and motivated Immy by being fun, active and interesting. It provided opportunity for her to apply her own knowledge and understanding to extend the activity and challenge herself further (and others as well – yes, she had both Dad 101 and I playing along and my parents when they came to visit). The auditory element of chanting or calling out the footwork patterns also helped to reinforce the learning taking place.

Here’s how we played our left and right game, Fancy Footwork…

Childhood 101_left and right activities

I made our footprint shapes by tracing around one of Immy’s sandals to make a template. I then cut out ten red right feet and ten green left feet, labelled each left or right with a permanent marker, and laminated them.

Childhood 101_Math games for kids_left and right

To start off, I stuck the footprints to the floor using loops of masking tape, arranging them in a formation of single left or right feet (hops) interspersed with two feet grouped together (jumps). Immy had fun hopping and jumping her way through the arrangement, calling out ‘left,’ ‘right’ or ‘jump’ as she went.

Childhood 101_Left and right games

You have to concentrate or you might wobble and wibble and lose your balance!

Childhood 101_Left right games

After several times through the arrangement, I suggested we change the formation. Immy really enjoyed challenging herself with different combinations of hops and jumps, mixing up the distances between the footsteps too.

Childhood 101_Math games_Teaching left and right

She even got really tricky, swapping left and right to create a crossover jump challenge!

Childhood 101_Teaching left and right

We also had fun forming dance routines like this one – you start with two feet in the middle of the first row and start the dance stepping forward left/right, then backwards left right, then extend the left foot out to the outer left footprint, then tap the right foot in place. Next move the left foot to the middle left and finish with the right foot tapping the outer right. Lots of thought and concentration went into completing that one each time!

This activity was lots of fun and I can see us revisiting it regularly.

What games or activities have you used to teach your child to distinguish left from right?

Related Posts

  • Incorporating Number Learning into Everyday Life
  • Tips for Teaching Young Children Facts…Playfully!
  • Encouraging Independent Play

Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.

Filed Under: Bigger Kids Play, Maths, Preschool Play, Thinking & Reasoning

Previous post: Virtual Bookclub 101: Siblings Without Rivalry Section 7 & Afterword
Next post: Macadamia Nut Butter Recipe

Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

  1. Lauren Burke says

    July 8, 2013 at 5:28 PM

    Great idea !! Although being ex-navy I would have the make the left one red for port, and the right one green for starboard !! (Navy terms) :)
    • Christie Burnett says

      July 14, 2013 at 8:11 AM

      Great tip, Lauren. And one my ex-Navy husband missed completely ;)
  2. stephanie says

    July 10, 2013 at 11:39 AM

    Love this idea! Am pinning it and putting it on my list to do with my first graders in september!
  3. Kate - An Everyday Story says

    July 10, 2013 at 11:49 AM

    We always talk about left and right when we go for bike rides. Jack will now say, "which way, left or right?" I find that the constant repetition really helps internalise the concept. I like your game though :) Like a simplified twister :)
  4. Chelsea @ Moments A Day says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:00 PM

    What a great game and looks like so much fun!!!!! Will definitely try this one.
  5. Kate Lloyd says

    July 12, 2013 at 7:59 PM

    Some adults need this I think! LOL Great post thank you Christie and I love the way you have approached teaching this to children. It would be really helpful.
    • Christie Burnett says

      July 14, 2013 at 8:05 AM

      LOL I may be one of those adults, Kate ;)
  6. Kylie @ Octavia and Vicky says

    July 13, 2013 at 8:16 AM

    Learning left and right is so tricky for kids, this is a great way of teaching it with play.
    • Christie Burnett says

      July 14, 2013 at 8:04 AM

      It is a really hard concept for children to learn. I love that the physical action, chanting and repetition of this game all work together to make the abstract so much more accessible for children.

Trackbacks

  1. Play dough, roses and eating numbers :: Play Planner - NurtureStore says:
    July 14, 2013 at 7:01 PM
    [...] learning their left from their right {over at Childhood 101} [...]
  2. Weekend Link Love | Simple Kids says:
    September 8, 2013 at 12:36 AM
    [...] Left and Right Games:  Fancy Footwork ::: Childhood 101 [...]
  3. Week of Oct. 27, 2013 (CC=BREAK) | The King Homeschool Adventure says:
    October 27, 2013 at 7:13 AM
    [...] Social Studies: Left/Right/Front/Back : Game (kid can draw foot and cut) [...]
  4. 10 Ways to Play this Weekend: Week 47 - Creative Family Fun says:
    April 2, 2017 at 12:06 AM
    […] Learn left and right with a little fancy footwork with Childhood 101 […]
Welcome
pinterestinstagramteachers pay teachersyoutubefacebook

Search

Tips & Resources


Latest

Best ideas for sensory play for toddlers

20 Best Ideas for Sensory Play for Toddlers

Looking for ideas for sensory play for toddlers? Today we have a super fun list … [Read More...]

Over 55 super ideas for sensory bins

55+ Super Sensory Bin Ideas for Kids

We are big fans of sensory play in our house! Since they were small, my girls … [Read More...]

65+ YA dystopian books for teens

21 Thrilling YA Dystopian Book Series for Teens

Inside: Our pick of the best YA dystopian books series for teens. If your … [Read More...]

The Book

Learning Resources


Activities by Age

Baby
Toddler
Preschool
School-age
Family

Copyright ©2022 · Childhood101 - All Rights Reserved ·

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • PRIVACY POLICY