Little Mouse: What Will You Do at Night?
Children become the animals who ask to marry the vain little mouse, a Spanish folktale, and answer her question with each animal's sound and way of moving. It builds imitation, varied ways of moving and a lively voice warm-up.
How to play
- In a circle, the teacher plays the little mouse sweeping her steps who finds a coin. Teach her question: “And at night, what will you do?” (1 min).
- The first suitor arrives: the rooster. Everyone struts around like roosters, and when the drum stops we answer “Cock-a-doodle-doo!” flapping our wings (1 min).
- More come: the dog (on all fours, “woof!”), the pig (heavy steps, “oink!”), the donkey (trotting with gentle kicks in the air, “hee-haw!”). The mouse says “No, you'd wake me up!” and we change how we move (2 min).
- The little mouse suitor arrives and answers “Sleep and be quiet!”: we all tiptoe in silence, and the little mouse happily picks him (1 min).
- We finish asleep like little mice, curled up and breathing slowly (1 min).
Rules
- When the drum stops, we answer the little mouse.
- Animals use the whole space without bumping.
- The donkey kicks the air, never friends.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, three animals, with the teacher modeling each one.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, five animals and everyone answers together.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, a child plays the mouse and others suggest new animals with their own moves.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: each animal can be shown with arms, head and voice from the wheelchair.
- Hearing impairment: show a picture card for each animal and a hand signal for “stop.”
- Autism: warn that sounds will be loud; children can make them softly or just move.
Learning goals
- Imitate the ways animals move.
- Answer a sound signal with voice and movement.
- Enjoy the repeating dialogue of a folktale.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Hand drum: 1
Teacher tip
The repeated question drives the game, so always say it with the same tune. If the noise gets wild, the quiet little mouse brings everyone back down.
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