I Move Like the Teacher's Scarf
The teacher moves a big colorful scarf (lets it float down, shakes it, twirls it) and the children copy it with their whole bodies. It's a gentle warm-up that works on watching closely and expressing movement with the body.
How to play
- Children spread out facing the teacher, who shows the scarf and lets it float slowly to the floor while everyone watches it drift down (1 min).
- Every time the scarf falls, we fall with it, sinking little by little into a tiny ball; when it rises, we grow all the way up onto our tiptoes (2 min).
- The teacher shakes the scarf fast and we wiggle and shake our arms, legs and bottoms (1 min).
- The scarf twirls in the air and we turn slowly one way and then the other (1 min).
- The teacher tucks the scarf into a pocket and everyone freezes as if the wind just stopped (1 min).
Rules
- Keep your eyes on the scarf to know what it's doing.
- Move in your own spot without bumping anyone.
- When the scarf disappears, you freeze.
- Turn slowly so you don't get dizzy.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use just two moves, fall-and-rise and shake, and the teacher also says them out loud.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use all four moves and change the order so they stay alert.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, a child takes the scarf and leads the group, and can invent a brand-new move.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child copies the scarf with arms, trunk and head from their wheelchair, leaning forward to “fall.”
- Visual impairment: the child holds a corner of a second scarf next to the teacher and feels the movement in their hand, while hearing “fall, rise, shake, twirl.”
- Autism: preview the four moves with picture cards and give a heads-up before twirling, which can be overstimulating.
Learning goals
- Warm up the body with big, gentle movements.
- Watch an object and translate its movement into their own body.
- Respond to changes in speed and level (up and down).
Equipment for a class of 25
- fabric scarf: 1
Teacher tip
Use a large, brightly colored scarf so everyone can see it. Drop it extra slowly: if you let it go fast, kids flop to the floor all at once.
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