Page 4 - CrossingtheBLineBook1

Introduction

INTRODUCTION

We are delighted to present this compilation of 132 activities for both the ‘Crossing the B-Line Mat’ and the
‘Move, Jump & Follow Mat’.

This book is divided into three sections as follows:

Section 1: Crossing B-Line Horizontal Mat (76 Movement Activities)
Section 2: Crossing B-Line Vertical Mat (38 Movement Activities)
Section 3: The Move, Jump & Follow Mat (18 Movement Activities)

For each activity, the teacher calls out a series of instructions (moves) and the children carry out each
instruction in turn by moving the corresponding named brick to the required new position. This requires
steady concentration and repeated cognitive processing.

Each movement mat activity usually lasts for about 20 teacher call-outs. It can be a lesser number. If
the children have listened carefully, processed each instruction correctly and moved the corresponding
coloured brick to its new position, then at the end of all 20 call-outs, their bricks should now be in the new
positions as determined by the answer key at the end of the activity e.g. All bricks end up on the red line.

As children participate in the activities for each mat, they are:
• Listening carefully & staying focused
• Making sense of the language and vocabulary
• Following the instructions
• Remembering the specifics of the task or challenge in order to carry it out (working memory)
• Exercising perceptual skills, fine motor skills, eye-hand co-ordination, etc.
• Cognitively processing and carrying out the task using existing knowledge, skill and understanding

We know that performing physical activities builds neural pathways and the more neural pathways the
brain has, the easier it is to learn. Perceptual and motor skills are necessary and important in preparing
the child’s brain for learning - they build that strong base to support future academic learning. Within
the many activities in this book, there is a focus on the development of vocabulary, spatial relationships,
working memory, cognitive processing and task completion.

You can engage your Six Bricks mats and activities at any time of the day. Here are some suggestions:
• At the end of a day to simply unwind and have a little bit of fun
• First thing in the morning to sharpen the brain and get ready for learning
• Just after break to refocus attention and settle down
• As a brain-break during the course of a school day - stop whatever you are doing and re-energise the
brain as you play!