Half My Body Is Asleep
Each child wears a ribbon on one wrist to mark the awake side; when the teacher says one side falls asleep, only the other side moves. It helps children discover that the body has two sides and move them separately.
How to play
- The teacher loosely ties a ribbon on one wrist of each child and explains that this is the "ribbon side" (2 min).
- Touch the parts on the ribbon side: hand, elbow, shoulder, ear, hip, knee and foot; then the other side (2 min).
- Walk to music; the teacher says "The side with no ribbon falls asleep!" That half goes floppy and only the ribbon side dances (3 min).
- Switch: the ribbon side sleeps and the other side dances; try hopping on one foot, waving or patting a leg with just one side (3 min).
- Both sides wake up and we dance with the whole body; sit down and take off the ribbons (2 min).
Rules
- The sleeping side stays still and floppy.
- Check the ribbon if you're not sure which side it is.
- Hop on one foot only with space around you.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, only the arms fall asleep (ribbon arm or the other) and there's no hopping.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, a whole side falls asleep while the other dances, walking around the room.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, start using the words right and left and put crossed parts to sleep (the ribbon arm and the opposite leg).
Adaptations
- Limited mobility or one-sided weakness: choose the ribbon side based on what the child can move and work mostly seated.
- Visual impairment: use a jingle-bell bracelet instead of a ribbon so the side can be heard.
- Autism: always put the ribbon on the same wrist and signal each change with a card.
Learning goals
- Recognize that the body has two sides.
- Move the parts on one side while keeping the other relaxed.
- Name body parts on a specific side.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Fabric ribbons: 25
- Music
Teacher tip
Tie every ribbon on the same wrist (the right) so it can later help you introduce the word "right." Keep the ribbon loose and easy to slip off.
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