The Clock Pendulum Crosses the Tummy
Children are wall clocks: one hand swings back and forth across the front of the tummy to touch the opposite knee. It's a playful way to cross the body's midline.
How to play
- Standing, the teacher shows the clock: the arm is a pendulum swinging side to side, "tick, tock" (1 min).
- One hand swings down across the tummy to touch the knee on the other side; then the other hand (1 min).
- With music, the pendulum goes slowly and then faster, touching crisscross knees (1 min).
- Now an elbow reaches for the opposite knee as it lifts up to meet it (1 min).
- The clock gets tired: the pendulum slows down little by little until it stops (1 min).
Rules
- Your hand crosses in front of your tummy.
- Your hand looks for the knee on the other side.
- If you feel dizzy, the clock stops for a bit.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the hand crosses to touch the tummy and the opposite hip; the knee if they can reach.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, hand to opposite knee to the "tick, tock."
Harder
For 5-year-olds, elbow to opposite knee, then hand to the opposite foot behind the body.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: seated, the hand crosses over to touch the opposite shoulder or knee.
- Less coordination: the teacher stands beside the child and guides the arm the first few times.
- Visual impairment: say "tick, tock" out loud to keep the beat and tap the target knee.
Learning goals
- Cross the body's midline with arms and legs.
- Coordinate one hand with the opposite leg.
- Follow a simple beat.
Equipment for a class of 25
- music
Teacher tip
Say "the knee on the other side" and point to it; skip right and left. Watch for kids twisting their whole body: the point is for the hand to pass in front of the tummy.
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