Happy Tickles All Over
An imaginary happy feeling sneaks in through the feet and climbs up the body, and every part it touches shakes and dances. It wakes up the body part by part and links happiness with loose, lively movement.
How to play
- Standing apart, the teacher says: “A tiny happy feeling just snuck in through my feet.” Everyone shakes their feet (1 min).
- The happy feeling climbs to the knees and tummy: dancing knees and a giggling, wiggling tummy (1 min).
- It reaches the arms and hands: windmill arms and sparkle fingers (1 min).
- It climbs up to the head and face: head nods yes and no, and a huge smile. Now the whole body dances! (1 min).
- The happy feeling calms down and settles in the heart: hands on chest, breathe and smile at a neighbor (1 min).
Rules
- Everyone dances in their own spot.
- Only the part with the happy feeling moves.
- When the happy feeling calms down, so do I.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only feet, hands, tummy and head, with the teacher modeling.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, add knees, shoulders and face, and let a child say where it goes next.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the happy feeling jumps around randomly (elbow, ankle, nose) and they must find it fast.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: from the wheelchair, shake whatever parts they can and add claps.
- Autism: keep the same bottom-to-top order every time and allow a gentler shake.
- Visual impairment: the teacher names and gently touches the body part, with the child's permission.
Learning goals
- Move the body one part at a time.
- Link happiness with loose movements.
- Shift from active to calm.
Teacher tip
Tell it like a mysterious story: they believe it and enjoy it much more. If things get wild, lower your voice so the happy feeling “calms down” early.
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