Statues with a Motor

Children are still statues, and the teacher "plugs in" a motor on one body part: only that part keeps moving (an arm circling, a head nodding yes, a foot tapping) while the rest stays stone-still. They practice moving one body part on its own while controlling the rest.

How to play

1. We dance freely to the music; when it stops, we freeze like stone statues (2 min).
2. The teacher walks by with an imaginary plug and gives one part a motor: "Motor in your hand!" Only the hand moves (2 min).
3. We repeat with other parts: head, shoulder, foot, bottom, while the rest of the body stays still (3 min).
4. In pairs, one child is the statue and the other is the inventor who chooses where to plug in the motor; then they switch (3 min).
5. The teacher unplugs everyone: the motors slow down more and more until they stop, and we sit down (2 min).

Rules

• Only the part with the motor moves.
• Inventors plug in with a gentle touch.
• When you're unplugged, slow down little by little.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the statue sits, and motors go on parts they can move (hands, head, face).
• Autism: the inventor points instead of touching if contact bothers the child.
• Hearing loss: the teacher also signals the music stopping by crossing their arms.

Learning goals

• Move one body part while keeping the rest still.
• Name and recognize body parts.
• Control the start and end of a movement.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Music

Teacher tip

Demonstrate first and exaggerate: a serious stone face with just one finger moving gets laughs and they get it right away. If the whole body moves, remind them "Statues are made of stone."

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