Helping children understand why grownups set limits and have rules about certain things is a way we can help children learn self-discipline. Here's a game with definite rules -- an obstacle course you can set up in a yard or a room with lots of space. This activity can help children learn about limits, develop coordination and the ability to keep on trying.

Materials:

• Masking tape or chalk
• Large cardboard box
• Two or three shoe boxes
• Two egg cartons

Directions:

Use the tape or chalk to make a pretend tightrope on the floor. Place the shoeboxes far enough apart for the children to step over them. Open the ends of the large cardboard box for a tunnel and place the egg cartons so that children can hop over them.

Once you've set up the course, tell the children the rules they have to follow:

• Walk along the tightrope
• Step over the boxes
• Crawl through the tunnel
• Hop over the egg cartons

Let the children go through the course one at a time. Can they follow the rules? Do they get better each time they go through? Later on, on another day, switch the things around to make a new course to try.

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