Smart Moves 3: Tots thru 2nd
Important:
-
Music can
be played for movement or simply for music appreciation.
-
Make sure
the actions are age appropriate. Modify accordingly.
-
Clear the
area of toys and furnishings to avoid trips and falls.
-
Space
children properly to avoid collisions, interference and
distractions.
-
Practice
the moves and steps prior to playing the song.
-
Physically guide children through the song – WITH
ENTHUSIASM!
-
Review
class room rules to avoid chaos.
-
Use
child-safe props.
-
Use
the fine motor (sit down/cool down) songs at the end of
your active session.
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1.
Shake
Your Boom Boom
A “boom
boom” is whatever children want it to be; the entire body, a
body part, a homemade instrument, or even a child-safe prop
such as a scarf. Let the kids decide and practice shaking
their “boom booms” before playing the song. Then children
move as directed using their hands or feet to obey the
commands: step, up, down, push, pull, in, out, bend,
rise, side-to-side, step back, around and around.
X
Discuss various sounds, rhythms, and even opposites.
Step, step, step
Shake
your boom boom
Step, step, step
Shake your boom boom
Step, step, step
Shake your
boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga BOOM
Up, up, up
Shake
your boom boom
Down, down, down
Shake
your boom boom
Up, up, up
Shake your
boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga BOOM
Push, push, push
Shake
your boom boom
Pull, pull, pull
Shake
your boom boom
Push, push, push
Shake your
boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga BOOM
In, in, in
Shake
your boom boom
Out, out, out
Shake
your boom boom
In, in, in
Shake your
boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga BOOM
Bend, bend, bend
Shake
your boom boom
Rise, rise, rise
Shake
your boom boom
Bend, bend, bend
Shake your
boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga BOOM
Side-to-side
Shake your boom boom
Side-to-side
Shake your boom boom
Side-to-side
Shake your
boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga BOOM
Back, front, back
Shake your boom boom
Back, front, back
Shake your boom boom
Back, front, back
Shake your
boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga BOOM
All around
Shake your boom boom
All around
Shake your boom boom
All around
Shake your boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga boom boom
Boom shaga laga laga BOOM
2. 1 Gorilla
Children count,
concentrate, and mimic the silly moves of these animals: 4
gorillas stomp, 5 bears dance, 6 goats jump, 7 pigs skate, 8
horses gallop, 9 parrots fly, 10 penguins waddle. The
challenge is for kids to focus and respond to the questions,
“How many?” and “What are they?”, as they move about, working on
memory and listening skills.
X
Discuss, counting, animals, animal characteristics and habitats.
1 gorilla 2
gorillas 3 gorillas 4
4 gorillas stomping through a grocery store
4 gorillas stomping through a grocery store
How many?
Four!
What
are they?
Gorillas!
4
gorillas stomping through a grocery store
2 bears 3
bears 4 bears 5
5 bears dancing to a cool hand jive
5 bears dancing to a cool hand jive
How many?
Five!
What
are they?
Bears!
5 bears
dancing to a cool hand jive
3 goats 4
goats 5 goats 6
6 goats jumping over pick up sticks
6 goats jumping over pick up sticks
How many?
Six!
What
are they?
Goats!
6 goats
jumping over pick up sticks
4 pigs 5 pigs
6 pigs 7
7 pigs skating, 4 more is eleven
7 pigs skating, 4 more is eleven
How many?
Seven!
What
are they?
Pigs !
7 pigs
skating, 4 more is eleven
5 horses 6
horses 7 horses 8
8 horses gallop thru the playground gate
8 horses gallop thru the playground gate
How many?
Eight!
What
are they?
Horses !
8
horses gallop thru the playground gate
6 parrots 7
parrots 8 parrots 9
9 parrots flying over Frankenstein
9 parrots flying over Frankenstein
How many?
Nine!
What
are they?
Parrots !
9
parrots flying over Frankenstein
7 penguins 8
penguins 9 penguins 10
10 penguins waddle through a lion’s den
10 penguins waddle through a lion’s den
How many?
Ten!
What
are they?
Penguins !
10
penguins waddle through a lion’s den
3. Walk, Walk
There are many
creative ways to walk. Kids can walk individually, or as a
group, through this simple song. They can begin in a straight
line or scrambled. They can even hold a prop, such as a
streamer, balloon, or tissue. The song directs them to walk freely, form a circle,
slow down, speed up, crossing one foot over the other in a
crisscross step. Then they walk down low (grab the
ankles or calves), straighten up and walk in a zigzag
pattern, break away and “high 5” friends, and finish by
lightly touching the elbows of friends (elbow tickles).
Use a
noisemaker to catch the attention of the children and guide them
through the prompts. Let the kids come up with creative ways to
walk.
Other fun ways to walk:
You can walk
backwards, or walk in a straight line by deliberately putting
one foot in front of the other, or walk stiffly like a robot, or
march- walk like a soldier, or walk loosey-goosey like you don't
have bones, or walk very slowly, or walk really fast, or take
three normal steps and then hop on one foot for a while, or walk
for ten paces and then jump as far as you can, or walk on your
tiptoes, or walk on your heels, or kick a rock or ball while you
walk, or walk sideways, or walk and then skip for a while, or
walk and then run for a distance, or walk but avoid sidewalk
cracks by going around them or jumping over them.
Let the
way you walk reflect the way you feel. We all have emotional
ups and downs. You and your child can walk like you're happy,
walk like you're sad, walk like your mad, walk like a bully,
walk like you're shy, walk like a king or queen, walk like the
weight of the world is on your shoulders, walk like this is the
best day of your entire life!
Look for words as you
walk. You'll see them on street signs, on some car
license plates, on advertising billboards, on signs or logos
on trucks and busses, on welcome plaques by front doors, in
gardens on plant stakes, on notices posted on telephone
poles (like garage sales, etc.), on newspapers in driveways,
on pieces of paper dropped on the sidewalk, on recycling
containers and trash cans, on "For Sale" signs, etc. If your
child can't read, just have them point the words out when
they see them, and you read for them.
Look for examples of math
as you walk. Look for numbers and geometric shapes.
You'll find numbers on houses, painted on curbs, on mail
boxes, on license plates, on signs with phone numbers, on
dates printed on newspapers, on manholes and water meter
covers, etc.
Look for different geometrical shapes as you walk.
Stop signs are octagons, street signs and window frames are
rectangles or squares - and sometimes you'll see arches,
wheels on cars are circles, yield signs are triangles, look
for diamond shapes in some window panes, or decorative
accents that include star shapes or trapezoids.
Look for symmetrical patterns -- where one side looks
like the other. For example, you'll see symmetry in leaves
and flowers, as well as man-made structures such as houses.
X
Discuss modes of transportation, maps & addresses, or community
helpers.
Walk, walk
Walk, walk
Now, we’re walkin'
Walk, walk
Doin' just
fine
Walk, walk
And, we’re walkin'
Walk, walk
Down a straight line
Straight line ----
Slowwwww,
Dowwwwn ------
Till we're struttin’
strut, strut
Now, we’re
struttin'
strut, strut
Yeah, we’re struttin'
strut, strut
Speeding up
now
Walk, walk
Back to walkin’
Walk, walk
Crisscross
--------------------------
Now, we’re
crossin’
Crisscross
Crisscross
One foot over
the other
and walk
Criss cross
one over
Over the other and walk
First you criss
Then you cross
And walk
Walk, walk
Wayyyyy,
Dowwwwn ---------------
Wayyyyy, Dowwwwn ---------------
Way down
low, now
Down low
Very low, now
Down low
Movin' higher
Walk, walk
Ziggin',
zaggin'
Zigzag
Zigzag -------------
Ziggin, zaggin'
Zigzag
We’re high 5in'
High 5
We’re hand jivin'
Walk walk
We’re high 5in'
High 5
We’re hand jivin'
Walk walk
Ticklin’ our
elbows -----------
Elbow ticklin'
Walk walk
Ticklin’ our elbows -----------
Elbow tickles
Elbows
Ticklin’ our elbows -----------
Elbow ticklin'
Walk walk
4. Follow
the Leader (AO)
Follow the
Leader is a fun game that can be played with 2 or more children
to improve coordination, agility, and social skills. A leader is
chosen, and moves
as creatively
as possible (jumps, bends, swings arms, walks on tiptoe, etc.),
while the followers must do their best to imitate the leader.
Children can play in a short line with the leader in front, or
play in a circle with the leader in the center.
When prompted,
a new leader is assigned, and the previous leader moves to the
end of the line, or joins the circle. Children can repeat the
chant, “A-E-I-O-U,” while moving. Using a prop such as a ball,
scarf, streamer, beanbag, or hoop can add complexity and variety
to the activity.
ABCDEFG
Who will follow and who will lead?
Follow every move you see (AO-EO)
HIJKLMNOP
Who will our new leader be?
We follow them around you see (AO-EO-IO)
QRSTUV
Who will our new leader be?
Follow every move you see (AO-EO-IO-OA)
WXYZ
Who will follow and who will lead?
A final turn for you or me. (AO-EO-IO-OA-UO)
A-E-I-O-UO
A-E-I-O-UO
5. Up & Down
This country
hoe-down tells children exactly what to do. Partner children,
and line them up facing each other. Follow the simple
directions: Bend elbows up and down while kicking feet up and
down (heel digs), lift & slapping knees while turning around,
bend elbows up and down while kicking feet up and down (heel
digs), crossing one foot over the other, then lifting up and
down on their toes.
During the
chorus of “I went to a western town…” there are (2) options:
a)
Face partner, cross arms, and hold hands. Take turns & chassé
down the center.
b)
Link elbows and skip around in a circle with a partner, changing
elbows and reversing direction after each completed circle.
c)
Doe-see-Doe around their partner, stepping with arms crossed
over (hands on elbows), and forearms held up.
After each
chorus, partners break apart and follow the directions.
Bend your elbows up & down
Up & down, up & down
Bend your elbows up & down
Up & down, up & down
Kick your feet up & down
Up & down, up & down
Kick your feet up & down
Up & down, up & down
I went to a western town
I didn’t know what I would see there
I had my boots on, and my hat
Smelled fresh hay in the air
I saw a chicken lay an egg
Danced at the country fair
While wonderin’ what I’d do next
Shooed flies from my hair
Lift your knees up & down
Up & down, up & down
Slap those knees, up & down
Up & down, up & down
All around, up & down
Up & down, up & down
All around, Up & down
Up & down, up & down
I went to a western town
I didn’t know what I would see there
I had my boots on, and my hat
Smelled fresh hay in the air
I rode a horse & milked a cow
Danced at the country fair
While wonderin’ what I’d do next
Shooed flies from my hair
(Break)
Bend your elbows up & down
Up & down, up & down
Bend your elbows up & down
Up & down, up & down
Kick your feet up & down
Up & down, up & down
Kick your feet up & down
Up & down, up & down
I went to a western town
I didn’t know what I would see there
I had my boots on, and my hat
Smelled fresh hay in the air
I caught a wild pig in pen
Danced at the country fair.
While wonderin’ what I’d do next
Shooed flies from my hair
Feet cross over, up & down
Up & down, up & down
Feet cross over, up & down
Up & down, up & down
On your toes, up & down
Up & down, up & down
On your toes, up & down
Up & down, up & down
6. Oh Silly Jowdilly
Although this
is meant to be a floor exercise, there are different ways to
rock and roll:
a)
with arms straight overhead and legs straight & extended, like a
tootsie roll
b)
sitting in a butterfly position on the floor with the soles of
the feet touching, and rolling from left to right, or onto the
lower back. Do not allow children to roll back as far as their
neck.
Choose which
way your kids will roll. During the breaks kids follow the
instructions: push up & drop down (from the tummy in a regular
push-up - or from the behind, like a crab) or sit up & drop
down.
Oh silly jowdilly
I’m a rockin’ on the ground
Oh silly jowdilly
rockin’all around
Oh silly jowdilly
I’m a rockin’all around
Oh silly jowdilly
rockin’ on the ground
Pushin’ up
Silly bang bing bong
Droppin’ down
Silly bang bong
Pushin’ up
Silly bang bing bong
Droppin’ down
Silly bang bong
Oh silly jowdilly
I’m a rollin’ on the ground
Oh silly jowdilly
rollin’ all around
Oh silly jowdilly
I’m a rollin’ all around
Oh silly jowdilly
rollin’ on the ground
Sittin’ up
Silly bang bing bong
Droppin’ down
Silly bang bong
Sittin’ up
Silly bang bing bong
Droppin’ down
Silly bang bong
7. Go Team!
Imaginative
sports play and gross motor fun: basketball = dribble
w/hand & shoot, soccer = dribble with feet & kick,
baseball = swing the bat & hit, football = catch the
ball & run, tennis (or volleyball) = serve the ball and
hit.
X
Discuss physical fitness, sportsmanship, or teamwork.
Hey! Hey!
What d ya say?
Take the ball
The other way!
Hey! Hey!
What d ya say?
Come on team
Let’s go play!
Basketball!
We dribble the ball
and shoot it
We dribble the ball
and shoot it
Dribble and shoot it
Dribble and shoot it
Applause
Soccer!
We dribble the ball
and kick it
We dribble the ball
and kick it
Dribble and kick
Dribble and kick
Applause
Baseball!
We swing the bat
and hit it
We swing the bat
and hit it
Swing it and hit
Swing it and hit
Applause
Football!
We catch the ball
And run it
We catch the ball
And run it
Catch it and run it
Catch it and run it.
Applause
Tennis! (or Volleyball)
We serve the ball
And hit it
We serve the ball
And hit it
Serve it and hit it
Serve it and hit it
Applause
Go Team!
Go Team!
Goooooo Team!
8. William Tell
Overture
This instrumental is the perfect
accompaniment to a physical activity of your choice, such as,
follow the leader or an obstacle course. Guide the
children through an activity that challenges their locomotor and
non-locomotor, listening, and memory skills. Use child-safe
props.
X
Introduce a series of prepositions in your commands.
- Locomotor:
run, skip, jump, hop, leap, march, gallop, etc.
- Non-Locomotor:
bend, reach, stretch, rise, twist, squat, etc.
- Obstacle
course equipment:
a large box, assorted foam sheets (poly spots or carpet
squares), paper cups (cones), a balance beam, hula hoops,
tables, a limbo stick, ropes, bean bags, etc.
9. Brush, Wash,
Comb, Dress
These lyrics were
inspired
by a CAEYC 2005 workshop
A fine motor
recipe for the hands that introduces rhythm, tests the memory,
demonstrates patterns and sequencing, and enhances listening
skills. Children start with repetitious moves that speed up as
they progress: Brush teeth, wash face, comb hair, get dressed.
Let them come up with four of their own moves using the
instrumental version, or introduce concepts of your own.
X Discuss hygiene, or patterns and sequences in every day
life.
Come on!
Let's get ready to go
We brush & we brush
And we brush and brush and brush
We brush & we brush
And we brush and brush and brush
We wash and we wash
And we wash and wash and wash
We wash and we wash
And we wash and wash and wash
We comb & we comb
And we comb and comb and comb
We comb & we comb
And we comb and comb and comb
We dress and we dress
And we dress and dress and dress
We dress and we dress
And we dress and dress and dress
You missed a spot!
We brush and we brush
And we wash, and wash, and wash
We wash and we wash
And we wash and wash and wash
We comb & we comb
And we comb and comb and comb
We dress and we dress
And we dress and dress and dress
You're lookin' pretty good
there.
We brush & we brush
And we wash and wash and wash
We comb & we comb
And we dress and dress and dress
We brush & we brush
And we wash and wash and wash
We comb & we comb
And we dress and dress and dress
Mmmmm...you
smell nice
We brush & we wash
And we comb and we dress
We brush & we wash
And we comb and we dress
We brush & we wash
And we comb and we dress
We brush & we wash
And we comb and we dress
Are
you ready?
GREAT! Let’s go!
10. Act
Like You Are in a Zoo (Upright)
Written by Jeannie McCarthy, GymTastics
Children act
like they are in a zoo and mimic the locomotor motor moves of
animals they are familiar with: elephants march and stomp,
flamingos tiptoe, zebras gallop, kangaroos jump, cheetahs run,
and then the children choose an animal they want to be. Finally
it is time to rest, and all animals come to a halt…resting and
snoring until they wake up.
X
Discuss animals, their characteristics, habitats, and care.
Act like you
are in a zoo.
Ooga booga loo.
In that zoo you’re an elephant.
Ooga booga loo.
Marching here. Stomping there
Marching, stomping everywhere.
Act like you are in a zoo.
Ooga booga loo.
Elephants march!
STOP!
Act like you
are in a zoo.
Ooga booga loo.
In that zoo you’re a flamingo.
Ooga booga loo.
Tip toe here. Tip toe there
Tip toe, Tip toe everywhere.
Act like you are in a zoo.
Ooga booga loo.
Flamingos tip-toe!
STOP!
Act like you
are in a zoo.
Ooga booga loo.
And in that zoo you are a zebra.
Ooga booga loo.
You gallop here. You gallop there.
You gallop, gallop everywhere
Act like you are in a zoo.
Ooga booga loo.
Zebras gallop!
STOP!
Act like you
are in a zoo.
Ooga booga loo.
In that zoo you’re a kangaroo.
Ooga booga loo.
You’re jumping here. Jumping there.
Jumping, jumping everywhere
Act like you are in a zoo.
Ooga booga loo.
Kangaroos jump!
STOP!
Act like you
are in a zoo.
Ooga booga loo.
In that zoo you’re a cheetah.
Ooga booga loo.
You’re running here. Running there
Running, running everywhere
Act like you are in a zoo.
Ooga booga loo.
Cheetahs run!
STOP!
Act like you
are in a zoo.
Ooga booga loo.
What kind of animal are YOU?
Ooga booga loo.
Moving here. Moving there.
Moving, moving, everywhere
Act like you are in a zoo.
Ooga booga loo.
Animals move!
STOP!
Now it’s time
to close the zoo.
Ooga booga loo.
Time to rest for me and you.
Ooga booga loo.
I hear snoring here, snoring there
Snoring, snoring everywhere.
Time to rest for me and you.
Ooga booga loo.
“Wake up you
sleepy animals!”
11. What Am I?
Charades is a game of pantomimes: you have to "act out" a person, place, thing,
or short phrase without speaking, while your friends try to
guess what or who you are. For young children, select a
category, and stick with it (animals, community helpers, school
activities, home activities, etc.) You can choose to use cards
and put an image with the printed word on the cards, or let the
kids take turns coming up with what they want to act out. Find
more charades tips on the website that can be introduced as
children mature.
What am I? Can you tell me
what I am?
What am I ? I wanna know.
Watch me closely, and then
see if you know
What I am? You oughta know
What am I? Can you tell me
what I am?
What am I ? I wanna know.
Watch me closely, and then
see if you know
What am I? I wanna know.
Can you guess who or what I
am ?
Can you guess who or what I am ?
Can you guess who or what I am ?
Who am I? Can you tell me
who I am?
Who am I ? I wanna know.
Watch me closely, and then
see if you know
Who I am? You oughta know
Who am I? Can you tell me
who I am?
Who am I? I wanna know.
Watch me closely, and then see if you know
Who am I? I wanna know.
Can you guess who or what I
am ?
Can you guess who or what I am ?
Can you guess who or what I am ?
What am I? Can you tell me
what I am?
What am I ? I wanna know.
Watch me closely, and then
see if you know
What I am? You oughta know
What am I? Can you tell me
what I am?
What am I ? I wanna know.
Watch me closely, and then see if you know
What am I? I wanna know.
12. It is
Monday (Ti-de-o)
Children
locomotor through the days of the week: run on Monday, march
on Tuesday, jump on Wednesday, spin on Thursday, side-step or
crisscross on Friday, tiptoe on Saturday, and move slowly on
Sunday. Each day, allow children to decide on a new
locomotor or non-locomotor move.
X
Discuss daily routines, the week, the month, the year, the
calendar, time, birthdays, or even holidays.
It is Monday, off we go
Running, dashing, off we go
It is Monday, off we go
Monday, Ti-de, Ti-de-o
It is Tuesday, off we go
Marching, marching off we go
It is Tuesday, off we go
Tuesday, Ti-de, Ti-de-o
It is Wednesday, up we go
Jumping, bouncing up we go
It is Wednesday, and up we go
Wednesday, Ti-de, Ti-de-o
It is Thursday, around we go
Spinning, turning around we go
It’s Thursday, round we go
Thursday, Ti-de, Ti-de-o
It is Friday, across we go
Sideways and across we go
It is Friday, across we go
Friday, Ti-de, Ti-de-o
Saturday and we tip-toe
On our tip-toes, we tip-toe
Saturday and we tip-toe
Saturday, we Ti-de-o
It is Sunday, we go slow
Slowly, creeping, moving slow
It is Sunday, slow we go
Sunday, Ti-de, Ti-de-o
13. Imagine That
This activity
can improve hand/eye coordination, balance, rhythm and reflexes.
Using our imagination, we can become anything: rolling waves,
galloping horses, fluttering butterflies, fireworks bursting and
dropping, spinning helicopter blades, kites flipping and
dipping, and juggling clowns. Adding a child-safe prop such
as a scarf (or large paper dinner napkin) can create a new
dimension. Introduce concepts by encouraging children to move
faster, slower, higher, lower, wider, tighter, bigger, smaller,
closer, farther, together, apart, etc. Let the kids create
imagine their own moves.
1.
children's music
preschool music