Peekaboo, Here's My Knee
With a made-up chant, children hide a body part behind their back, under a scarf or tucked against the floor, and make it pop out with a "Peekaboo!" by moving it. It builds locating body parts and shared enjoyment.
How to play
- Sitting in a circle, the teacher teaches the chant: "Where is it, where is it, where's my little hand?... Peekaboo, here it is!" hiding the hands behind the back and bringing them out (2 min).
- Repeat with parts that hide easily: feet under the bottom, nose behind the hands, tummy by folding forward (2 min).
- Each child takes a scarf and hides the part the teacher calls: knee, elbow, shoulder, ankle; on "Peekaboo!" it comes out and moves (3 min).
- In pairs, one hides a part under the scarf and the other guesses which; then switch (2 min).
- Everyone curls up and hides their whole body under the scarf, then pops out with a big "Peekaboo!" and a stretch (1 min).
Rules
- Hide the part the chant names.
- On "Peekaboo!" bring it out and move it.
- The scarf never covers a friend's face.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use big parts (hands, feet, tummy, head) and no scarf at first.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use the scarf and parts like knee, elbow and shoulder.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, hide two parts at once and the partner guesses both.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: hide the parts the child can move, with a classmate laying the scarf on top.
- Autism: if being covered is unsettling, hide a part of a stuffed animal instead.
- Hearing impairment: pair "Peekaboo!" with throwing the arms wide so the signal is visible.
Learning goals
- Locate and name body parts by hiding and showing them.
- Move them in isolation when they appear.
- Enjoy a shared surprise game.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Large scarves: 25
Teacher tip
3- and 4-year-olds love this one; with 5-year-olds, move to the partner guessing game sooner. Never put the scarf over anyone's face if they don't want it.
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