The Elevator Goes Up and Down the Step
Each child has a low step and pretends to be an elevator: on the drum beat they step up, step down, and crouch or stretch depending on the floor. It practices going up and down a step with control.
How to play
- Each child stands in front of a step; the teacher shows how to step up one foot, then the other (1 min).
- One drum beat: step up; two beats: step down to the floor (2 min).
- "Ground floor": crouch down on the floor; "Top floor": step up and stretch tall (1 min).
- We step up and down from the side and from behind the step, always looking where our feet go (2 min).
- The elevator shuts off: we sit on the step and breathe (1 min).
Rules
- I look at the step before I put my foot down.
- I go up and down slowly, no jumping.
- Everyone stays in their own elevator.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, both feet on the step and hold a hand to step down if needed.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, alternate feet and add the floors.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the drum goes faster and we step up sideways.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the chair is the elevator: arms up and down.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher holds up one or two fingers instead of the drum.
- Less balance: put the step next to a wall to hold on.
Learning goals
- Step up and down with control.
- Respond to sound signals.
- Warm up the legs before climbing.
Equipment for a class of 25
- steps bajos: 25
- pandero: 1
Teacher tip
Use steps about 4–6 inches high, spaced three feet apart so no one trips. At first, say the number of beats out loud as well as playing them.
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