The Growing Wiggle
A cumulative singing game: each round adds a body part that can't stop wiggling, first one hand, then the other, a foot, the head… until the whole body is moving. Kids build body awareness, memory and coordination of several parts at once.
How to play
- Standing in a circle, the teacher introduces a simple wiggle chant and shows: "Uh-oh, my hand got the wiggles and won't stop!" while shaking a hand (1 min).
- Round one: everyone chants with the teacher and wiggles only one hand nonstop (1 min).
- Each round adds a part while the earlier ones keep moving: other hand, one foot, other foot, head, hips, tongue (6 min, 6–7 rounds).
- The teacher lets a child choose the new part for the next round.
- At the end the whole body is wiggling; the teacher says "Wiggles all gone!" and everyone freezes like a statue and breathes (2 min).
Rules
- Stay in your spot in the circle and don't bump your neighbor.
- If you get tired, wiggle slower, but don't stop.
- Move your head gently, no hard shaking.
- On "All gone!", everyone freezes.
Variations
Easier
Only four big parts, and the teacher shows each one before the round.
Standard
Seven parts added in the teacher's order.
Harder
Wiggle while walking around the circle, or choose small parts like eyebrows, shoulders and knees.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: seated, swap feet and hips for shoulders, elbows and head.
- Hearing loss: the teacher touches the new part as she names it and keeps eye contact with the child.
- Different skill levels: kids who lose track wiggle just the newest part; skilled kids keep every part going.
Learning goals
- Name and move different body parts.
- Keep several movements going at once.
- Take part in traditional children's singing games.
Teacher tip
No lyrics sheet needed: a short repeated chant plus gestures is learned in two rounds. Act overwhelmed when the whole body is wiggling; kids love it.
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