Ring, Ring! Time to Get Up

Children act out the story of a morning at home: they sleep, stretch, jump out of bed and hurry to the bathroom. It eases them from rest into movement and builds listening.

How to play

1. Everyone lies in their pretend “bed,” eyes closed, breathing slowly while the teacher says it’s very early (1 min).
2. The alarm rings (fast drum): stretch like a cat, yawn and roll over for five more minutes (1 min).
3. Second alarm: sit up, rub your eyes, wiggle your feet under the covers and stand up very slowly (1 min).
4. Walk down the hallway on tiptoe so the baby doesn’t wake up, then quickly because we’re late (1 min).
5. In the bathroom, splash cold water (pat face and arms), comb your hair and flush the toilet with a big jump (1 min).
6. Hop into the kitchen and sit in a circle, ready for breakfast (1 min).

Rules

• When I’m sleeping, I’m quiet.
• When the alarm rings, I move; when it stops, I listen.
• In the hallway, I don’t bump into anyone.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair stretches with arms and trunk and travels the hallway at their own pace with a buddy.
• Autism: preview the story with 4 picture cards (bed, bathroom, hallway, kitchen) and point to each as the scene changes.
• Hearing impairment: also flick the lights on and off for the alarm.

Learning goals

• Warm up the body gradually.
• Follow a story through movement.
• Recognize morning routines.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Hand drum: 1

Teacher tip

Have each child find a spot with room for their bed first. Kids usually jump up at the first ring, so tell them the first alarm always gets switched off.

More activities like this

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