Body Hinges Explorers

Kids discover their body has "hinges" like doors: neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles. First they walk stiff like a stick doll, then "oil" each hinge one at a time. Kids build awareness of their joints and move each one through its range.

How to play

1. In a circle, the teacher opens and closes the gym door: "See the hinge? We have hinges too!" She bends and straightens her elbow to show it (1 min).
2. Everyone walks around like a stick doll, bending nothing: straight arms and legs, stiff neck (2 min).
3. The teacher has a pretend oil can: "Oiling the elbows!" Now elbows bend and kids walk moving them a lot (6 min, one hinge each time: knees, neck, wrists, hips, ankles).
4. Once every hinge is oiled: free dance bending and stretching the whole body (2 min).
5. The oil runs out: the doll slowly gets stiff from feet to head until it stands still (1 min).

Rules

• Bend and stretch without forcing, only as far as feels okay.
• Walk slowly when stiff so you don't fall.
• Leave room at your sides to swing your arms.
• When the doll is stiff, nobody moves.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: work the hinges the child can move from the wheelchair, with adult help if needed.
• Hearing loss: the teacher touches her joint as she names it and everyone copies.
• Different skill levels: some walk stiff with arms only; skilled kids squat and stand without bending their knees.

Learning goals

• Discover the body's main joints.
• Tell the difference between stiff and flexible movement.
• Increase movement at each joint without forcing.

Teacher tip

Make a squeaky-hinge sound ("eeek") whenever someone walks stiff: kids laugh and join in. Skip technical names; touching and moving is enough.

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