Goldilocks Visits the Three Bears

A Goldilocks and the Three Bears movement story: kids move like the big, middle-sized and little bear to the tambourine's beat and act out the visit to the bears' house. They work on sizes, slow and fast rhythm, and log rolls on mats.

How to play

1. Put mats together on one side (beds) and scatter hoops on the floor (chairs). Circle (1 min): 'Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear live in the forest.'
2. The three bears (4 min): slow, loud beats = Papa Bear, big heavy steps; medium beats = Mama Bear, medium steps; fast, soft beats = Baby Bear, tiny crouched steps. Change the beat and everyone transforms.
3. Goldilocks goes in (2 min): now everyone is Goldilocks. Tiptoe in, taste the porridge (blow on the spoon) and say: 'Too hot!', 'Too cold!', 'Just right!'
4. The chairs (2 min): sit in one hoop, then another. On the third: 'Crack, it broke!' Slowly tip backward from sitting and roll into a ball.
5. The beds (3 min): on the mats, log-roll sideways and lie down to sleep. Several kids at once, each in their own lane.
6. The bears come home (2 min): slow, loud beats. Goldilocks wakes up and walks fast to the opposite wall. Repeat, mixing up the order of the story parts.

Rules

• On the mats, roll in your own lane without bumping.
• Tip backward only from sitting, and slowly.
• Listen to the tambourine to know which bear you are.
• Leave the house walking fast, not running.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: show sizes with arms and voice and rock back in the wheelchair.
• Autism: picture cards of each bear to preview beat changes.
• More skilled kids try a supported forward roll on the mat; less skilled kids just log-roll.

Learning goals

• Show big, medium and small with the body.
• Match steps to slow and fast beats.
• Roll along the body's long axis on a mat.

Equipment for a class of 25

• hand drum (tambourine): 1
• mats: 6
• hoops: 20

Teacher tip

Make the tambourine beats very different so kids can hear the change. Keep a picture of the three bears handy; it really helps 3-year-olds.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary