Each Sound Turns On a Body Part
Each instrument turns on a body part: maracas turn on the hands, the drum the feet, the triangle the head. Children dance only with the part that is sounding, practicing listening and moving body parts separately.
How to play
- Sitting in a circle, the teacher introduces each instrument and its part: maracas-hands, drum-feet, triangle-head; try it seated (2 min).
- Standing spread out, the teacher plays one instrument at a time and children dance only with its part; in silence, everything switches off (2 min).
- Faster changes: the teacher switches instruments without stopping and children change parts right away (1 min).
- Two instruments play together and both parts dance at once (1 min).
- To finish, the triangle plays very softly and the head moves slowly until it switches off (1 min).
Rules
- I only dance with the part that's playing.
- When nothing plays, I switch off and stay still.
- I dance in my own spot without bumping.
- I listen with wide-open ears.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only two instruments (maracas-hands and drum-feet), and the teacher shows the part before playing.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use all three instruments with calm changes.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, add a fourth sound (teacher claps for hips), and a child plays the instruments while the rest dance.
Adaptations
- Hearing impairment: each instrument has a colored card the teacher holds up while playing it.
- Limited mobility: the drum turns on the arms instead of the feet if needed.
- Autism: keep instruments visible in the same order and play softer; offer headphones if the sound is bothersome.
Learning goals
- Match a sound to a body part.
- Move one body part in isolation.
- React to changes in sound.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Hand drum: 1
- Maracas: 2
- Triangle: 1
Teacher tip
Place a picture of each body part next to its instrument so they remember. At first, leave clear silence between sounds so they have time to switch.
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