The Walking Cuckoo Clock
Children are walking clocks: they take one step on each "tick-tock" of the rhythm sticks and freeze when the clock stops, until the cuckoo pops out. Children practice matching their steps to a steady beat.
How to play
- The teacher taps the rhythm sticks slowly, saying "tick, tock," and children standing in place swing their arms like clock hands at the same time (1 min).
- Now walk around the yard: one step on each tap, not before and not after (1 min).
- The clock speeds up and slows down: the teacher changes the tempo and the steps change with it (1 min).
- When the sticks go quiet, the clock stops and everyone freezes; the teacher calls "Cuckoo!" and everyone jumps and says "Cuckoo!" (2 min).
- Finish with a very slow clock that winds down little by little until it falls asleep (1 min).
Rules
- One step on each tick-tock.
- If there's no sound, the clock doesn't move.
- The cuckoo only comes out when the teacher calls it.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the teacher walks in front while tapping and everyone follows like a train of clocks.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, each child walks around the yard on their own, following the tempo changes.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, at "Cuckoo!" the teacher calls a number and children do that many jumps.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: wheelchair users give one push or swing their arms on each tap.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher also shows the beat by moving an arm up and down where everyone can see.
- More skilled children: alternate one step on tiptoe and one step on heels.
Learning goals
- Match steps to a steady beat.
- Adjust speed when the tempo changes.
- Respond to silence by stopping.
Equipment for a class of 25
- claves: 1
Teacher tip
Start very slow: a 3-year-old's natural beat is faster than an adult's. If they rush, stop, listen to two tick-tocks without moving, and start again.
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