Following the Teacher's Song
The teacher walks around the room singing and shaking a maraca, and children follow like ducklings, copying how the teacher walks; when the teacher goes quiet and sits, everyone sits around them. It practices following the adult by voice and sound, copying movement and gathering back with them.
How to play
- The teacher teaches the made-up song: "Follow, follow, follow the song, right behind the teacher all day long" (1 min).
- The teacher walks slowly, singing and shaking the maraca, and children follow in a line or a bunch (2 min).
- The teacher changes how they walk (on tiptoes, crouched down, little hops) and children copy (2 min).
- The teacher goes quiet and sits somewhere in the room: everyone hurries gently to sit snuggled up close (2 min).
- Repeat, with the teacher sitting in a different, farther spot each time (2 min).
- Finish sitting with the teacher and say thank you for the walk (1 min).
Rules
- We stay behind the teacher, no passing.
- When the teacher goes quiet, we sit next to them.
- We copy how the teacher walks.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the teacher holds hands with the first children and keeps the route short and circular.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, the route covers the whole room and the walking style changes.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, a child takes the maraca and leads with the teacher alongside.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the teacher plans the route through areas the wheelchair can reach and waits at corners.
- Visual impairment: the child follows the maraca's sound holding a classmate's hand.
- Hearing impairment: the child goes first, right behind the teacher, to see their body and face.
Learning goals
- Follow the adult by sound.
- Copy different ways of moving.
- Gather with the adult at a signal.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Maracas: 1
Teacher tip
With a big group, have another adult at the back to gather stragglers. At first, don't sit too far away: successfully reaching you is what builds confidence.
PatioLab has "Following the Teacher's Song" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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