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The following article was published in Play Words (produced by Common Threads Consultancy) in November 1998. |
In
recent years parachute play has come to the fore as one of the most popular
activities for young people. Playable with every age group from one
to eighty one, it is probably the most adaptable and enjoyable group activity
there is. Youth workers, teachers, indeed anyone working with young people
in a caring and motivating capacity in recent years has probably come into
contact with parachute play. What is it about this particular type of play
that seems to generate so much enthusiasm from both players and group leaders?
Integration
To begin with, if parachute games weren't fun, nothing else would follow. Winning and losing do not feature in the usual sense since the desired results are achieved through working together. Co-operation is, in fact, the name of the game and fun, the key element. But perhaps the greatest benefit of all is the complete integration and interaction that parachute play allows. Regardless of age, race or ability, the games are played in a setting where all are equal and where no-one need fear having to compete against others.
It is important that leaders working with a parachute should be aware that no young person need ever be excluded, whatever their disability may be. We have found that with a little thought, practically all games are adaptable for disabled young people, sometimes involving teaming up with an able partner. The spin-offs of such total integration are enormous for both the able and the disabled.
Co-operation
Because it is impossible for such a large piece of equipment to be manipulated successfully without the co-operation of the entire group, a team spirit is immediately engendered. The game of ‘Rollerball’ is a prime example:
The idea of this game is to get a ball moving around the outer rim of the chute whilst all the players control their part of the chute. To do this well, all the players must watch one another carefully and respond to movements:
Rollerball: The players stand around the edge of the chute, holding it at waist height.
The ball is set in motion around the edge and it is the task of the players
to keep it moving by using a ‘Mexican wave’ motion. Whether or not the
leader actually mentions the ‘Mexican wave’ idea is dependent on the group.
Sometimes it is more fun and rewarding to let the group work out how to
achieve the desired results and sometimes it is more appropriate to tell
them and even practise the motion in a circle first. Each leader will know
their group best.
Empowerment
When working with younger children, parachute play provides a wonderful opportunity for both adults and children to be interactive on an equal footing. Few activities allow children to ‘give’ adults a good time, they are normally on the receiving end, so this can be a very new and empowering experience for them:
Washing Machine: For this game the children could send the adults under the chute to become the ‘dirty washing!’ The children sit around the edge of the chute. They control the washing machine. First they switch it on and make suitable water running noises. Next they pretend to add any powders or liquids they feel are needed. Finally they control the chute doing various actions to simulate the machine wash cycle – agitating vigorously by shaking – rotating and spinning by passing through the hands first one way then the other at different speeds, making suitable noises throughout, and finally wafting dry. It is then their decision as to whether the laundry is clean enough or whether they ought to give those ‘clothes’ another go!
Numerous games have been documented but it is always fun for young people to make up their own so always be open to suggestions. They won’t all work but the discussion and experimentation are well worth the time.
Safety
All parachute games are playable indoors and for most this is the most appropriate venue. A few games will require a mat underneath the chute for safety reasons although most do not.
Safety is, of course, of paramount importance and we always begin a
session by talking about
it with the group and making sure everyone understands they are equally
responsible for safe play. Accidents are rare, but people will always invent
new ways of injuring themselves so be vigilant. The word STOP can be used
by anyone at any time they feel a situation is unsafe. Try practising this
before play, so that no-one need feel embarrassed or foolish,- it could
prevent an accident occurring. If an activity has to be stopped for safety
reasons, always explain why, and take time to praise positive behaviour.
Introducing the Parachute
There are numerous ways to introduce a chute to a group who have not played before. One of our favourites, with a younger group, is the following:
Encourage the children to sit in a large circle. Place the parachute rolled tightly in its bag, in the middle of the circle and ask the children what they think it might be. When all the guesses have been discussed as to their likelihood (e.g. why ‘an elephant’ might not be quite fit!’), pull out one tiny corner of the chute and give it to a child to hold. Guessing can continue as gradually the ‘chute is pulled out until all the children are holding a section of the outer rim.
We find excitement increases as the size of this `thing’ that came in
a little bag becomes apparent and so the first thing to do is to expend
some energy and give it a good shaking.
learning to ‘Mushroom’ the parachute
All
players stand evenly spaced around the parachute holding it with both hands.
On the word “Down” the players crouch down so that the chute is resting
on the floor. On an agreed chant or simply “One, two, three, MUSHROOM!”
everyone stands and raises their arms up high so that the ‘chute fills
with air and a large mushroom shape is formed.
Once ‘mushrooming’ has been mastered, the world of parachute games is wide open and the possibilities limitless. A natural follow-on game to mushrooming is ‘Cross-overs.’
Cross-overs: This game involves calling out a question or command e.g. “Everyone holding a blue section cross over.” The ‘chute is then mushroomed and those holding blue sections leave go of the edge and run across under the chute to take up a position on the other side before the chute descends.
The range of cross-over questions is limitless and, if carefully thought out and posed, will help to involve new group members and can provide a springboard for discussion of more serious social issues when working with young people. The questioning process should not be limited to the leader, some of the best and most appropriate questions will come from the players.
Getting rid of energy
Games
vary a great deal with regard to the energy levels they require and so
it is a good idea for leaders to prepare an ‘order of play’ beforehand
but also to build in some flexibility as things don’t always go according
to plan! A particularly noisy and physically demanding game is:
Cat and Mouse: Players either stand or kneel around the edge, holding the ‘chute in both hands. Someone volunteers to be the mouse and crawls under the ‘chute. The ‘cat’ climbs on top of the ‘chute. It is the job of the other players, the ‘mouse protection league,’ to shake the ‘chute constantly thus making capture of the mouse as difficult as they can. Meanwhile the cat and mouse crawl around, one attempting to avoid detection and the other to pounce albeit gently!
Lots of players will want turns at being the cat and mouse but do be aware of flagging arms and be prepared to move on to something gentler for a while e.g.: Tent and circle games:
Calming it Down
Making
a Tent: Players ‘mushroom’ the ‘chute and, when at its highest point,
take a step forward, quickly bringing the ‘chute down behind their backs
and sitting on the edge. All the players should now be sitting inside a
parachute tent. (You may need to designate a ‘tent pole’ to stand or sit
in the centre to help keep the ‘chute up if there are not enough players
around the edge to keep it taut).
Now the tent has been made there are many circle games to play inside. ‘Pass the…’ is one of the favourites.
Pass the… Practice passing something around the circle, e.g. a hand squeeze, a clap, a whisper etc. When you have mastered this, a fun game to play is:
Rain Forest: The idea of this game is to build up a series of sounds simulating a tropical storm. The sounds are constantly passed around the circle, starting off softly and reaching a great crescendo before gradually tailing off again into silence.
The leader begins by passing to his left or right (make sure everyone knows beforehand!) the buzz of a mosquito. Everyone continues to buzz until the next sound reaches them around the circle, - the first drops of rain (simulated by snapping the fingers first slowly then a little faster). Then the rain increases, (tapping two fingers in the palm of the hand increasing to clapping loudly) and to create the ‘eye’ of the storm, pass stamping feet. At this point everyone adds animal sounds such as monkey and parrot calls etc. As the eye passes over, the sounds are reversed until only the last player’s ‘buzz’ can be heard.
The ‘tent’ can get quite hot so don’t stay in too long. A great game for cooling off is:
Fanning: Half the group lie beneath the chute like the spokes of a wheel, feet to the centre, whilst the rest of the group gently waft the ‘chute up and down over them. (players may like to cover their faces as the chute descends or even lie on their stomachs).
‘Umbrella’ can be included by the ‘wafters’ simply walking around
in a circle as they waft, thus creating a moving kaleidoscope of colour
for those resting.
Bringing the session to an end
There are many wonderful ‘end games' to play which finish a parachute games session very neatly: ‘Pancake’ and then ‘Dragon’ are great for the younger players:
Pancake: The ‘chute becomes a giant frying pan and is held at ground level. Players pretend to pour in the oil and make sizzling sounds whilst gently shaking the pan as it heats up. Next the batter is poured in and the pan moved about to spread it evenly. Every now and then someone checks under the pancake to see if it’s cooked. When all agree it is, it is time to toss the pancake. On a count of three, the pancake is mushroomed and at its highest point one player shouts “Let go!” Sometimes the ‘chute will actually turn over or rise and stick to the ceiling for a second. When the pancake has returned to the pan, the players cook the other side and then add any fillings they fancy. They then roll the pancake up into a long roll.
Dragon: Once the pancake is rolled it can become a Chinese dragon. The players get into a line, one behind the other, holding the ‘chute above their heads. In this way they proceed to wherever they need to go or simply around the room. Inventing a chant is a nice addition to keep everyone in step. Finally the chute ‘heads for’ its bag and the dragon disappears!
Happy 'chuting!
Penny Stragnell is co-founder of SeamStress Ltd., a company which manufactures playchutes and provides training in their use. SeamStress has written its own parachute games booklet with safety suggestions. For further information contact SeamStress Ltd., 23 Banbury Road, Byfield, Northants., NN11 6XJ Tel/fax: 01327 263933