Health and Wellbeing

Parachute Activities

Plan parachute sessions that get the whole group moving, laughing and taking turns together, including pupils with PMLD.

  • 40 minutes
  • 13 modules
  • 0.5 CPD hours
  • Certificate

Members

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14 days free, then £70 a year or £7 a month.

What you'll learn

  • Choose a parachute, lycra or elastic to suit your group and space
  • Plan a parachute session with a hello song, games, a story and a finish
  • Use parachute play to practise turn-taking, waiting and following instructions
  • Teach concepts like colour, direction, speed and position through movement
  • Add scents, sounds and textures to make sessions more sensory

About this course

A parachute is one of the few things in the cupboard the whole group can do at once, whatever their needs. One pupil is working on prepositions, another on waiting for their turn, and another is enjoying the breeze on their face, all holding the same piece of cloth.

You'll come away with plenty to try. There are stories and songs written for the parachute, including a pizza poem where you waft flour and herbs until the hall smells like a pizzeria. There are games such as a giant sensory dice and "who's missing?", and easy ways to add smell, sound and light. You'll also get a sample session and tips on adapting handles for someone who can't grip.

And if you ever feel like you're nagging, try singing the instruction instead. "Lift the parachute up high" goes down a lot better.

  • For support staff, teachers and teaching assistants. Early years and special.

13 modules

Open in order

  1. Introduction

    2 min
  2. Which one?

    4 min
  3. Why?

    3 min
  4. Interaction

    2 min
  5. Benefits of group activity and of movement

    3 min
  6. How to Use

    2 min
  7. Stories

    4 min
  8. Songs

    7 min
  9. Poems and Rhymes

    5 min
  10. Games

    3 min
  11. Sensory

    4 min
  12. Sample Session

    6 min
  13. Wrap Up

    3 min