«Ahora que Vamos Despacio»: The Silly-Fibs Stroll
We stroll very slowly singing the traditional Spanish song «Ahora que vamos despacio» («Now that we're going slowly, let's tell some fibs»), and on each «tralará» we take quick little steps and freeze. Then we act out silly fibs: hares that swim, sardines that climb a mountain. It works on changing speed and imagination.
How to play
- Spread out, everyone walks in slow motion while the teacher sings the first lines (1 min).
- On each «tralará» take three quick tiptoe steps, then freeze like a rock (1 min).
- Fibs from the song: «hares running in the sea» (run while swimming with your arms) and «sardines on the mountain» (climb an imaginary mountain) (2 min).
- Fibs from the kids: a snail that races, an elephant on tiptoe, a turtle that jumps… and we all act them out (2 min).
- Finish by walking very slowly into a circle (1 min).
Rules
- While singing, I go slow, slow.
- On «tralará», three quick steps and freeze.
- I look for open space so I don't bump.
- Fibs are acted with my body, without touching anyone.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, just slow walking and «tralará,» with the teacher stepping along.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, add the song's fibs plus two made-up ones.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, each made-up fib has a speed: super-slow turtle, super-fast snail.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: in a wheelchair or walker, swap the quick steps for quick pats on the legs.
- Visual impairment: walk hand in hand with a buddy in a clear space.
- Kids who struggle to stop: start with just one «tralará» and longer freezes.
Learning goals
- Alternate slow and fast movement to the song.
- Stop with control after speeding up.
- Act out silly situations with the body.
Teacher tip
Overdo the slow motion yourself: if the teacher goes slow, so do the kids. They find the fibs hilarious; let them suggest, but you pick which one we do.
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