Practice · Week 11 · Program week 23
Ziggy the Gecko
Grip and let go · Perseverance
Repeat a short hold three times, with a rest between, and a clear let-go.
35 minutes · ages 3–8
Try this at home
We did short holds with rests, and we let go every time.
- 1Three couch-edge holds, feet on the floor, with a shake between.
- 2Stop early if your hands feel done.
- 3Tell someone how many you chose.
Stay on the floor. If it feels wobbly, make the challenge smaller.
Talk about perseverance
How is coming back after a rest different from never stopping?
Look for this: Rests happen, and each hold ends with a deliberate let-go.
The story
Ziggy does not do one long cling. He does three short holds, resting his toes on the ground between them.
Hold for a moment. Let go on purpose.
What happens in class
Gather and story · 4 min
- Ziggy does not do one long cling. He does three short holds, resting his toes on the ground between them.
- Three short tries beat one tired try. Rest is inside the practice.
- Children sit where they can see you and the equipment. Show the careful version once.
Warm-up · 5 min
- Finger flicks.
- Wall push, three breaths, release.
- Shoulder rolls.
Skill practice · 14 min
- Hold for a breath, let go, shake, step back.
- Repeat until three are done or they choose to stop early.
- Stopping at two is perseverance if they name a rest. Forcing three is not.
- The shape of the let-go should look the same each time.
Game · 7 min
- A partner counts tries, not seconds.
- They also count rests.
- Swap.
Cool-down and character · 5 min
- Hands on thighs, breathe.
- We practiced coming back, not surviving a grip.