Climbing Apparatus - Hints for Safe Fun
(Jungle Gym)
Teachers: Children must be taught how to use the apparatus and how to land safely. They must respect guidelines. A
brief, student monitored time-out can be effective.
Always: check mats and equipment at the beginning of your class (children should be taught how)
do a quick review of safety rules and apparatus use
explain the plan of the day
do a WARM-UP (short aerobic, stretching, discussion time)
stand where you can see all children
Students must remember: You must look after you! Be responsible for your safety! Be in CONTROL!
Always - wear gym shoes, tuck in clothes, and remove hooded tops (or tuck in hood) and jewelry
- look where you are going
- be respectful of others
- take turns
- “think” before you “do”
- “land” on 2 feet, and “go”
- be sure there is room to land on mats
- use 2 hands to grip (thumb under, fingers over- monkey grip)
- be sure there is no-one above or below you when you play
NEVER try to lift someone else. Get a teacher’s help.
Mats: are for people using apparatus. Please walk around them and go behind your friends in line to get to the next station.
NO RUNNING: skip, gallop, animal walk
Balance Beam: is for going on or under.
on: standing, sitting, kneeling, prone – may move forward, backward, sideways, hop, close eyes, do balances
under: like koala bear
Remember: no-one above or below you when you play
Benches: (when sliding - landing mat at base) 1 at a time (plan how you will land)
(inclined) feet first
your feet, legs and hands are your brakes
(when climbing) 1 at a time, kneeling, sitting, on tummy, on back, using hands to pull, feet to push
(horizontal) (when walking – bench upright or upside down) 2 or 3 at a time (make a plan), variety of locomotor options,
use mats as appropriate (e.g. for landing)
Climbing Bars: 1 child per row of bars
use 2 hands (monkey grip)
face bars (belly button looks at the bars)
limit height, NEVER shoulders higher than top bar
if climbing through – use low, wide bar space
CLIMB up AND down – no jumping
Horizontal Bar: (use at teacher’s discretion)
(at about shoulder height of child) 1 or 2 at a time (make a plan with other)
2 hand grip
TEACHER SPOT at ALL TIMES! Children keep hands on bar and land on feet. INVERSIONS: only with teacher permission.
Ladder: (at approximately shoulder height of child)
is for going under: 1 or 2 at a time (make a plan with the other)
use 2 hands
land on feet
Teach students to “drop” onto 2 feet if hands begin to slip.
occasionally “on”: no higher than shoulder height of child
use hands AND something else on ladder (knees, feet, tummy, seat)
climb on and off
Rings: SELDOM USED (Teacher MUST Spot): 1 at a time
use both rings
for Strength –NOT for swinging
land on two feet directly under rings
inversion – rare: teacher MUST spot
Rope: (on first use) do the strength test (hold yourself, feet off mat for 3 seconds – count 1 “pineapple” etc)
(when climbing): 1 person at a time (line-up off mats)
use 2 hands, feet and/or legs also
child MUST CLIMB DOWN the rope
(when swinging – 1st lesson should be climbing – still must do strength test at beginning of class)
- teacher ensure there isn’t an obstruction near the rope e.g. ladder
- attached mats must be extended: floor should be covered along full range of swinging rope
1 at a time (children line up at end of mats)
stand at stationary rope, hold with previously practiced grip (2 hands, feet and legs)
walk or jog a few steps (in a straight line) to get rope started
pick up feet
get off directly under support bar (don’t jump off)
land IN CONTROL, on two feet
Feet are motor and breaks! To stop, put feet down.
Do NOT PERMIT run up to grab rope for swinging!
Jumping: make sure there is room to land, NO jumping from higher than your shoulders
Not very often permitted from equipment
prepared by: Monique McTiernan-Black
District 2 Physical Education Mentor: K – 5