Toast, Juice and Cocoa: Breakfast on the Move

Children turn into breakfast foods: bread popping out of the toaster, oranges being squeezed and cocoa swirling in the mug. It works on body expression, muscle tension and relaxation, and changes of pace.

How to play

1. In a circle, we talk about what we eat for breakfast and the teacher shows one gesture for each scene (2 min).
2. The toaster: squat close together in pairs, warm up slowly and, on the drum’s “ding!”, pop up like toast (2 min).
3. The oranges: curl into a ball, the juicer squeezes (scrunch up tight) and lets go (melt into juice spilling across the floor) (2 min).
4. The cocoa: we’re cocoa powder falling into milk, the spoon stirs and we turn slowly, then faster, then stop without falling (2 min).
5. Full breakfast with music: the teacher calls “toast,” “orange” or “cocoa” and we switch, in place or moving around (2 min).
6. Clear the table: walk slowly carrying a pretend, very full mug without spilling, then sit down (2 min).

Rules

• I spin slowly so I don’t get dizzy.
• When I pop like toast, I land in my spot.
• I move in my own space.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: act out the scenes with trunk and arms; the toast pops by throwing arms up.
• Autism: warn before each “ding!” so it isn’t startling, and let the child watch one round first.
• Visual impairment: the teacher describes each move and a buddy taps the child’s shoulder at each change.

Learning goals

• Express everyday actions and foods with the body.
• Alternate tension and relaxation.
• Respond to changing cues.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Hand drum: 1
• Music

Teacher tip

Model a really big toast pop yourself: if the teacher jumps with gusto, everyone does. Watch the cocoa spins: three turns max, then switch direction.

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