Clap, Stomp, Hop!

The teacher plays a short series of body sounds (clap, stomp, jump with a “hop!”) and children repeat it exactly, in the same order. It works on hearing and seeing order and rhythm.

How to play

1. Standing in a circle, meet the three sounds: clap, stomp with one foot, and jump with a “hop!” (1 min).
2. Two-sound series: the teacher does “clap, stomp” and everyone echoes it (2 min).
3. Three-sound series: “stomp, stomp, hop!”, “clap, hop!, clap” (2 min).
4. Four-sound series, some with a silent beat in the middle (hands on head) (2 min).
5. A child makes up a series and the circle echoes it (2 min).
6. Finish with the quietest series: pat your legs, tiptoe stomp, whispered “hop” (1 min).

Rules

• I listen to the whole series before repeating.
• I repeat it in the same order.
• Stomps are strong, but they don't hurt.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: stomp becomes a tap on the chair or thigh, and the jump becomes arms up.
• Hearing impairment: make series very visible, face to face; barefoot, the child can feel the stomp through the floor.
• Visual impairment: it's a listening game; name each sound at the start so they can tell them apart.

Learning goals

• Reproduce a 2- to 4-part rhythm pattern.
• Tell the order of sounds.
• Coordinate hands and feet.

Teacher tip

Keep a steady, unhurried beat, like a clock. Kids often start repeating before the teacher finishes, so fold your arms as the “your turn” signal.

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