Arroz con Leche, Slow and Fast

In a circle holding hands, children sing the traditional Spanish song "Arroz con leche" (rice pudding) at different speeds, and the circle turns at the same pace as their voices. Children practice matching their steps to the tempo of a familiar song.

How to play

1. Standing in a circle, learn or review the first verse of "Arroz con leche," a traditional song from Spain and Latin America, with soft claps (1 min).
2. Hold hands and turn the circle while singing at normal speed, one step for each clap we did before (1 min).
3. The teacher says "The rice is getting cold!" and we sing and turn very slowly, with long, slow steps (1 min).
4. The teacher says "The rice is burning!" and we sing and turn fast, with tiny steps, without letting go (1 min).
5. Switch between slow and fast; at the end of the song, the circle stops and everyone squats as if sitting down to eat (1 min).
6. One last very slow turn, singing softly, then let go of hands gently (1 min).

Rules

• Keep holding your friends' hands.
• Your feet go as fast or as slow as the song.
• No one pulls the circle.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the circle comes close to the wheelchair user, who claps the beat while the others turn.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher shows the speed with big gestures and makes sure faces in the circle are visible.
• Autism: the child can join holding the adult's hand or, if they prefer no contact, holding one end of a scarf with a classmate.

Learning goals

• Match movement to the tempo of a song.
• Keep the circle together while changing speed.
• Enjoy a traditional song from the local culture.

Teacher tip

In the fast part the circle tends to pull and someone falls: ask for tiny steps and keep the circle wide. Use the joke about the rice getting cold or burning; little ones love it.

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