Penguins and Ballerinas

To the tambourine, the little ones change how they walk: on their heels like penguins, on tiptoes like ballerinas, or with feet wide like ducks. They work on dynamic balance by changing which part of the foot carries them.

How to play

1. Everyone spreads out. Teach three characters: penguin (walk on heels, arms tight at the sides), ballerina (on tiptoes, arms up), and duck (feet wide, squatting low).
2. Soft music: everyone walks normally. When you say "Penguins!" and show the move, they switch to walking on their heels. 2 minutes.
3. Add the ballerina: "Ballerinas!" and they walk on tiptoes, turning slowly. Alternate penguins and ballerinas every 20 seconds. 3 minutes.
4. Add the duck. The tambourine signals: one tap, penguins; two taps, ballerinas; three taps, ducks. Go slowly and show the move at the same time. 3 minutes.
5. Final statue: when the music stops, freeze in the current character's pose for a count of three. 1 minute.
6. Goodbye: penguins going to sleep, squatting and hugging themselves. 1 minute.

Rules

• Walk without bumping into anyone.
• Watch the teacher's move first, then switch.
• If I wobble, I walk normally and try again.
• No running: penguins and ballerinas go slowly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: act out the characters with arms and face from a wheelchair or sitting.
• Hearing loss: use only the visual gesture for each character, without relying on the tambourine.
• More skilled kids invent a fourth animal; kids who need support walk holding the teacher's hand.

Learning goals

• Keep balance walking on heels, tiptoes, or with feet wide.
• Change the way of moving on a signal.
• Act out characters with the body.

Equipment for a class of 25

• tambourine: 1
• music: 1

Teacher tip

Made for three- and four-year-olds; two characters are plenty of game. Exaggerate the moves and laugh with them when they wobble.

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