Mirror Sticks

Each child has a pair of rhythm sticks and mirrors where the teacher taps them: up high, on the floor, in front, behind, then adds a body move. It builds two-hand coordination and copying movements.

How to play

1. Sitting in a circle, learn to hold one stick in each hand without pointing them at anyone, and tap them gently (1 min).
2. Standing, the teacher taps up high, on the floor, in front and behind the back, and children copy like a mirror (2 min).
3. Add the body: two taps up high and a jump, two taps on the floor and a squat (1 min).
4. One child becomes the big mirror and everyone copies; switch mirrors two or three times (1 min).
5. Tap softer and softer until the sticks go to sleep on the floor (1 min).

Rules

• Sticks only touch sticks or the floor, never a friend.
• Copy the mirror without going ahead.
• When the sticks are asleep on the floor, hands off.

Variations

Adaptations

• Less fine-motor control: one stick tapping the other palm or the floor.
• Visual impairment: a classmate guides their hands the first time and the teacher says each spot out loud.
• Limited mobility: floor taps go on the armrest or the legs.

Learning goals

• Coordinate both hands to play the sticks.
• Copy positions and movements from a model.
• Wake up arms and legs before the main activity.

Equipment for a class of 25

• rhythm sticks: 25

Teacher tip

Rhythm sticks can be thick, sanded dowels about 8 inches long or sturdy cardboard tubes. Give directions by tapping, not talking: they'll copy you before you finish the sentence.

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