Crouch Down and Make Letters
Using the Mexican version of the traditional song "El patio de mi casa" (My House's Patio), children crouch down and stand up to the beat and, in the alphabet part, make letters with their bodies. It works on changing levels (up and down) and holding still postures.
How to play
- Each child spreads out in their own spot. Sing the Spanish song ("My house's patio is special; when it rains, it gets wet like everyone else's") while walking and making rain with your hands (2 min).
- On "Agáchense y vuélvanse a agachar" ("Crouch down and crouch down again, crouchers can't dance"), squat down and stand back up, slower or faster as the teacher says (3 min).
- On the alphabet line "H, I, J, K, L…", the teacher shows how to make an I (stretch tall), an L (sitting with legs out), a T (arms out to the sides) and an A (feet apart, hands together overhead), and we try a pose on each letter sung (3 min).
- In pairs, invent other letters with two bodies (H, M, O) and show them to everyone (3 min).
- Finish on the line "if you don't love me, another friend will" by holding hands with someone new and stretching up tall like a big I (1 min).
Rules
- We squat with our feet flat on the floor.
- When we make a letter, we freeze like statues.
- Everyone stays in their own spot, no bumping when crouching.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, just crouch and stand with the song and one easy letter: a tall, stretched I.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, crouching plus four simple letters (I, L, T, A).
Harder
For 5-year-olds, make letters in pairs and threes, and the group makes the first letter of their names.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: instead of crouching, lean the upper body forward and make letters with the arms.
- Autism: show cards with a picture of a child making each letter to copy the pose.
- Visual impairment: the teacher describes the letter and gently helps place the arms the first time.
Learning goals
- Move from standing to squatting with control.
- Hold still poses that imitate letters.
- Learn the Mexican version of a traditional song.
Teacher tip
In Mexico the song says "agáchense" or "agáchate" and goes on with the alphabet "H, I, J, K…"; in many places it ends with "chocolate, molinillo." Watch that kids don't plop down on their bottoms: knees out and heels down if they can.
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