I Play Music for Your Steps

In pairs, one child walks, jumps, or stops however they like, and the other plays music for them by tapping a tambourine in time with their steps. Children practice watching a partner's movement and matching it with sound.

How to play

1. The teacher walks around the yard and taps a tambourine with each step: slow steps, slow taps; a jump, a loud tap; a stop, silence (2 min).
2. Now the other way around: one child walks however they want and the teacher plays along with their steps (2 min).
3. In pairs, one musician with a tambourine and one dancer; the dancer moves slowly and the musician follows with the tambourine (3 min).
4. Switch roles and try new moves: tiptoe, jumping, turning, or very slow (3 min).
5. Each pair shows their dance with music to the class for a few seconds (2 min).

Rules

• The musician watches the dancer's feet carefully.
• The dancer moves slowly so the musician can keep up.
• The tambourine plays only when the dancer moves.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a wheelchair user can be the musician, or the dancer moving the chair or arms.
• Hearing impairment: the child can be the dancer and check by watching how their partner plays.
• Autism: pair with a trusted classmate and start as the musician, which is a more predictable role.

Learning goals

• Accompany movement with sound.
• Watch and anticipate a partner's movement.
• Make choices about how to move.

Equipment for a class of 25

• panderetas: 13

Teacher tip

If you don't have tambourines for half the class, containers with lids or two wooden spoons work too. The usual problem is the dancer running, so ask for "turtle steps" at first.

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