The Hand Drum Motorbike
Each child is a motorbike that follows the hand drum: when the drum shakes, the engine starts; quick beats make the bike speed up, slow beats make it cruise, and silence means park. Children practice moving to different tempos.
How to play
- Sitting down, each child holds imaginary handlebars; the teacher shakes the drum and everyone goes "vroom" while shaking their shoulders (1 min).
- Slow beats: the bikes ride slowly around the yard, one step per beat (1 min).
- Fast beats: the bikes speed up with short, quick steps, without crashing (1 min).
- Silence: the bike parks, takes off its pretend helmet, and waits; the drum shakes again and we start up again (2 min).
- Out of gas: the beats get slower and slower until all the bikes reach the garage and turn off (1 min).
Rules
- The bike only moves when the drum plays.
- Go fast, but don't crash into other bikes.
- When it's quiet, park and stay still.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only engine, slow, and park; add fast once they've got it.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, mix slow, fast, and silence in a different order each time.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, a loud beat means "pothole": the bike does a little hop and keeps going.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: wheelchair users drive their chair or move their arms to the drum.
- Autism: preview with pictures of a bike riding, speeding, and parked, and point to each one.
- Visual impairment: hold hands with a "co-pilot" classmate and use an open space with no obstacles.
Learning goals
- Respond with the body to slow and fast tempos.
- Stop moving when they hear silence.
- Move with control and avoid bumping into others.
Equipment for a class of 25
- pandero
Teacher tip
Fast means quick steps, not all-out running: say it and show it first. If things get wild, the drum goes quiet and all the bikes park.
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