The Growing Movement Chain

In a circle, each child adds one movement to the end of the series on their turn, and everyone repeats it from the beginning. It works on remembering a series in order and waiting your turn.

How to play

1. Sitting in a circle, the teacher does one move (say, a clap) and everyone copies it (1 min).
2. The teacher adds another: clap and jump. Everyone does it from the start (2 min).
3. The first child in the circle adds a third; everyone repeats the three-move series in order (3 min).
4. When the series reaches four, end it with applause and start a new one with the next child (3 min).
5. Final four-move series for everyone, repeated three times, faster each time (2 min).
6. One last time, super slow like a snail, to finish (1 min).

Rules

• I wait for my turn to add a move.
• We always start from the first move.
• If someone forgets, we help by doing it next to them.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: arm, head and trunk moves count, and the group copies them exactly.
• Hearing impairment: moves are visual; make sure the child can clearly see whoever is adding.
• Autism: if inventing is hard, offer two movement cards to choose from.

Learning goals

• Memorize a series of 2 to 4 movements.
• Repeat a sequence in the right order.
• Respect classmates' turns.

Teacher tip

With a big group, make two circles with an adult each so turns come around quickly. Kids often add the new move at the beginning, so keep pointing to “the end of the line.”

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