Magic Mirror: Copy the Teacher
The teacher stands in front of the group as a magic mirror, moving arms, legs and face very slowly while everyone copies at the same time without traveling. It loosens up the joints and builds visual attention, body awareness and expression.
How to play
- Kids stand spread out in a half circle facing the teacher, each with room to stretch their arms. Say: "I'm a magic mirror. Whatever I do, you do."
- For one minute, the teacher moves their arms very slowly: up, out to the sides, big and small circles. Everyone copies together.
- One minute of legs: knee up, tiptoes, heels, squat down and rise slowly like an elevator.
- One minute of faces: happy, surprised, grumpy, sleepy. The teacher exaggerates each face and holds it for three seconds.
- Cue "The mirror breaks!": everyone shakes their whole body like little bits of glass for five seconds, then freezes again.
- Last minute: one child comes up front as the mirror and the others copy. Switch on a clap.
Rules
- Move without leaving your spot.
- Slowly: the mirror never rushes.
- Keep your eyes on the mirror.
- When you shake, don't touch your neighbors.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, only arm moves and faces, with the teacher always as the mirror.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, add legs and the breaking mirror.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, play in partners: one is the mirror, the other copies.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: copy only arms, trunk and faces while seated.
- Low vision: stand close to the teacher, who says out loud what they're moving.
- More skilled kids copy arms and legs together; less skilled kids copy one move at a time.
Learning goals
- Copy slow movements of different body parts.
- Show feelings with facial expressions.
- Keep attention on a model for several minutes.
Teacher tip
The slower you move, the better they copy. If attention drifts, make a really silly face: laughter pulls the group right back in.
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