The Seven Little Goats Hide
A movement story of the wolf and the seven little goats: the kids play and jump at home, and when someone knocks they tell Mama Goat's voice from the wolf's voice to run and hug her or hide. They practice reacting to sounds and jumping.
How to play
- Before class, set up hiding spots: mats standing against the wall, the tunnel, and spread-out fabric to crawl under.
- Circle (2 min): 'Mama Goat is going to the market. If anyone knocks, ask who it is.' Teach the two voices: sweet voice = Mama; deep, growly voice = wolf.
- Playing at home (3 min): little goats jump around the gym: two-foot hops, gallops, jumps with a turn. You call out each jump.
- Knock, knock, knock! (5 min): tap the tambourine three times. Everyone stops and shouts: 'Who's there?' If the sweet voice answers, they run to hug in a circle around you; if it's the deep voice, they hide fast in any spot. Repeat several times.
- Show us your hoof! (1 min): in the last rounds, show your hand from behind a fabric: open palm is Mama; a fist is the wolf.
- Ending (1 min): Mama Goat really comes home and everyone comes out for a big circle hug.
Rules
- Hiding spots fit lots of kids: don't push anyone out.
- Go into the tunnel and under fabric without pushing.
- Jump with space around you.
- The wolf doesn't catch anyone: just hide.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, really exaggerate the two voices and everyone hides in one big spot.
Standard
Two voices and several hiding spots.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, add the hoof cue and let a child be the wolf's voice.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: hiding means covering up with a fabric in their spot.
- Hearing impairment: use the visual cue, open hand or fist, from the start.
- More skilled kids do jumps with a turn; less skilled kids do small hops holding a hand.
Learning goals
- React quickly to a sound cue.
- Tell low sounds from high sounds.
- Jump in different ways with control.
Equipment for a class of 25
- mats: 4
- crawl tunnel: 1
- fabric pieces: 6
- hand drum (tambourine): 1
Teacher tip
Make the wolf silly, not scary, and always end with Mama's hug. If anyone gets nervous, let them hide with you.
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