The Song of Growing Jumps

We sing a made-up song where each verse adds one more jump: “One jump and I wake up, two jumps and I get moving…”. It works on rhythm, counting with the body and a warm-up that keeps building.

How to play

1. Standing spread out, the teacher teaches the first verse: “One jump and I wake up, hop!” and we jump once (1 min).
2. Second verse: “Two jumps and I get moving, hop, hop!” and we jump twice in a row (1 min).
3. Third and fourth verses: “Three jumps, I'm a froggy” and “four jumps, I'm a kangaroo,” adding a jump each time (1 min).
4. Sing the whole song straight through, from one to four, a little faster each time (1 min).
5. Sing it in slow motion with tiny jumps and finish crouched down in silence (1 min).

Rules

• Only jump when the song says “hop!”
• Land with feet together and soft knees.
• Everyone jumps in their own spot.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: each “hop!” is a clap overhead or a pat on the knees.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher shows the number of jumps with fingers.
• Lower stamina: rest between verses with big arm breaths.

Learning goals

• Match jumps to the song's rhythm.
• Count jumps with the body.
• Build intensity gradually.

Teacher tip

Hold up fingers for each number: many little ones can't count by ear yet, and this way they see it. If the song gets too fast the jumps get sloppy, so start over slowly.

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