Bugs That Wake Up With a Hop
Children are little bugs sleeping curled up on the floor, and when the drum booms they wake up with a hop and scurry around. It practices getting up quickly from the floor at a sound and warming up the body at the start.
How to play
- Everyone lies down curled into a ball, like little bugs asleep under a leaf, breathing slowly (1 min).
- The teacher hits the drum once, loud: the bugs wake up with a hop and scurry on tiptoe; two hits and they fall asleep wherever they are (2 min).
- Change how we sleep: on our backs like a ladybug upside down, on our tummies like an ant, or on our side like a centipede, and pop up the same way at the sound (2 min).
- Wake up faster and faster: the teacher waits a little longer or shorter before the hit so nobody can guess (1 min).
- Last wake-up: everyone gets up, stretches like bugs in the sun and walks slowly to the circle (1 min).
Rules
- While I sleep, I listen instead of peeking at the teacher.
- I get up and go without bumping into another bug.
- Two hits and I fall asleep right where I am.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, always sleep curled up, and the teacher warns "Here comes the boom!" before hitting the drum.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, switch between back and tummy, and the teacher changes how long to wait.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the teacher calls the sleeping position right before ("On your side!") and, when they wake, they scurry like that bug.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair sleeps with the head resting on the arms and wakes by raising the arms and turning the chair.
- Hearing impairment: along with the hit, the teacher lifts the drum high so the child, lying facing the teacher, can see it.
- Autism: warn before each loud hit or use a softer tap if the sound bothers the child, and always give the same sleeping spot.
Learning goals
- Get up quickly from different positions on the floor.
- Respond to a sound signal without jumping the gun.
- Warm up the body gradually at the start of the session.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Hand drum: 1
Teacher tip
Spread the bugs out before you start, since everyone takes off at once. The typical mistake is getting up before the hit by watching the teacher's hand, so play the drum behind your back.
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