While few young children can effectively spin a hula hoop around their waist, they are still popular in early childhood education. Hoops encourage creative and physical play, as children experiment with their possibilities. Hoops are large and awkward, but they are light, flexible and super fun!
EYLF Learning Outcomes
Hoops connect with the Early Years Learning Framework and teach children to become strong in their physical learning and wellbeing (3.2).
They teach a growth mindset and learning dispositions such as curiosity, confidence, commitment, enthusiasm and persistence (4.1). They teach a range of skills and processes such as problem-solving and experimentation (4.2).
Learning experiences
Manipulate hula hoops
Children can:
- spin hula hoops around their waist
- roll them along the ground
- twirl them on an arm or leg
- jump in and out of them
- and use them as a target for ball and beanbag games.
Experiment with hula hoops
Children can:
- test different spinning speeds
- try spinning multiple hoops at once
- measure how far hoops can roll
- and count how many objects can fit inside a hoop.