The Chirimbolo Circle: Foot, Hand, Elbow, Nose
Holding hands in a circle, children sing the traditional Spanish game «el corro chirimbolo» and stick one body part at a time into the middle: a foot, the other foot, a hand, an elbow… all the way to the nose and a «hat.» It warms up the whole body while naming body parts.
How to play
- Holding hands in a circle, the teacher sings «el corro chirimbolo, qué bonito es» («the chirimbolo circle, how pretty it is») as we walk around (1 min).
- First stop, «with one foot»: let go, put one foot into the middle and wiggle it, then hold hands and walk again (1 min).
- Add one part each round: other foot, one hand, other hand, one elbow, other elbow, moving them all together (2 min).
- Finale, «the nose and the hat»: touch your nose, put your hands on your head like a hat and spin around once (1 min).
- Sing it once super slow and once super fast, keeping the circle together (1 min).
Rules
- Hold your neighbors' hands, no pulling.
- When the teacher names a part, put it in the middle.
- Move only that part and stay in your spot.
- Fast round means tiny steps.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only foot, hand and nose, and the teacher touches each part on her own body while naming it.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, the full sequence, adding feet, hands and elbows.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, add knees, shoulders and head, and call out right and left with a colored wristband on the right hand.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: do the circle seated on chairs, still reaching the part into the middle.
- Autism: preview the order with picture cards of each body part.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher points to each part on her body just before singing it.
Learning goals
- Name and locate body parts.
- Warm up the joints in a playful way.
- Enjoy a traditional singing game together.
Teacher tip
Sing it all yourself the first time and have the kids just do the moves; by round two they sing along. The usual slip is letting go of the circle to move the part, so remind them to hold hands again as soon as the stop ends.
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