The Little Red Hen Bakes Bread

A no-equipment Little Red Hen movement story: kids plant, water, harvest, grind and knead the wheat with big gestures and end up sharing the bread. They work on arm and leg coordination, story order and helping each other.

How to play

1. Standing circle (1 min): 'The Little Red Hen found a grain of wheat and asked: Who will help me plant it?' Everyone answers: 'I will!'
2. Plant and water (2 min): squat and dig with both hands, drop in the seed and pat it down with tiny steps around it. Water with a pretend watering can while turning in place.
3. Grow (2 min): curl up as a seed; when the sun comes out, slowly grow until you're on tiptoes with arms up. The wind blows and you sway without moving your feet.
4. Harvest (2 min): cut the wheat with big arm sweeps side to side, then carry a pretend bundle around the room.
5. The mill (2 min): in pairs, hold hands and turn slowly one way and the other; then alone, make big windmills with the arms.
6. Knead and bake (3 min): knead on the floor, roll little balls, log-roll like loaves of bread and hold still in the oven. 'It's ready!' Hand a pretend piece to each friend.

Rules

• Turn with your partner slowly, no pulling.
• Roll with space around you.
• Listen to the question and answer before each part.
• Everyone helps the hen.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: every move works seated; do the mill with the arms.
• Hearing impairment: give each part a set hand sign taught at the start.
• More skilled kids suggest the move for one part; less skilled kids stand facing the teacher.

Learning goals

• Coordinate arms and legs in big movements.
• Put a sequence of actions in order.
• Join others in a shared task.

Teacher tip

Repeating 'Who will help me?' before each part keeps attention. Great for rainy days or small spaces.

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