Into the Middle, What Will We Do?
The circle turns while saying a chant, and when it ends one child steps into the middle and shows a movement that everyone copies. It builds imitation, initiative and a whole-body warm-up.
How to play
- Standing in a circle holding hands, the teacher teaches the chant while walking around: "Into the middle, into the middle, what will we do? Show us, show us, we'll copy you!" (1 min).
- When the chant ends, the teacher steps into the middle and does a simple move (jump, arm circles, squat); everyone copies it in place while counting to eight (1 min).
- The teacher taps a child on the shoulder; that child steps in and shows a move, the circle copies it for a count of eight, and the child goes back to their spot (2 min).
- Turn again with the chant; the child who was just in the middle taps someone who hasn't had a turn yet (1 min).
- Do the last move all together in slow motion, then let go of hands with a big stretch up to the sky (1 min).
Rules
- Only one friend goes into the middle.
- Whatever the middle friend does, we all do.
- If you can't think of anything, just wave, and that counts!
- We move without touching our friends.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the teacher stands with the child in the middle and offers two moves to choose from.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, each child makes up a move on their own and the circle repeats it eight times.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the middle child shows two moves in a row (for example, jump and clap) and the circle links them together.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair can show arm, head or trunk movements, and the circle does exactly the same.
- Autism: use a "my turn / not my turn" card to prepare the child, and let them pass if they don't want to go into the middle.
- Hearing impairment: show the end of the chant by raising both arms and point to the child who goes in next.
Learning goals
- Copy a classmate's movements with the whole body.
- Feel confident showing a movement in front of the group.
- Warm up the body gradually at the start of the session.
Teacher tip
Don't wait for everyone to get a turn: in 6 minutes about 6 to 8 children will go in; the rest go another day or during cool-down. If a child freezes, whisper two options.
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