Does anyone have good movement activities for preschoolers?

Question

I teach 3-year-olds and need some activities that can help to calm them down or keep them focused on me. It would be twice as great if it would involve all students at one time and possibly go with music. Right now I only use musical chairs where no one gets out and each time around we put our hands on a different body part.

Answer 1

It's a good theory, you just need to make sure that they know that the activity is to get them to settle down (I'm not sure how... for us grown-ups, activity usually makes us more tired, but it seems to rev them up)

Both of my kids love Freeze Dance. The teacher turns on music, and they dance and get all silly and everything, and when the teacher stops the music, they freeze where they are. It's pretty hilarious to watch some of the kids (I've watched the 4+ class do this) get into some VERY strange positions and try to hold them until the music stops again.

You don't mention if it's a Christian school or not, but I would imagine some words could be changed, and Father Abraham would be a good option. You know, "Father Abraham had many sons, and many sons had father Abraham, and I am one of them, and so are you, so let's just praise the Lord! RIGHT ARM!" and they start moving one arm like they're marching, then the other with it, then marching in place, touching noses, whatever. You just call out the next action. By the end, it usually goes something like "Right arm, left arm, right foot, left foot, touch your nose, turn around, SIT DOWN!" That song is a life-saver in children's church. It's the ending song, right before it's time to sit down and listen to a story or watch a puppet show. If you can't or don't want to sing a Christian song, I'm sure there are ways you could keep the concept and change the lyrics.

Answer 2

Brain gym. It gets their brain active and moves their body at the same time. It is also called mind gym. it is great for development, does not necessarily need any resources and only needs to last a couple of minutes, enough to get them re-focused. Join in yourself, it's great fun!
Try this website to get you started or simply put use a search engine. Alternatively, there are many books.
www.braingym.org.uk

Answer 3

Simon says is a good way to get their attention, I used to volunteer at my son's preschool we did shake the sillies out musical chairs but we didn't remove any chairs because 3yr. old don't like to lose and good old fashion dancing to the oldies was my favorite. You're on the right track just don't take out chairs in musical chairs they aren't ready for losing yet.

Answer 4

try to get a hold of some hap palmer records or cds tons of movement exercises and some older teachers too,some of the records may be out of print but you can possibly download from the internet or copy from another teacher . especaially try with your local headstart centers they were a staple there when i taught in the program for 8 yrs.
also check your local library, and schools

Answer 5

musical chairs? I would stop doing that asap!!!

try to get your hands on these two books...

First steps in teaching creative dance to children 3rd edition by mary Joyce ISBN # 1559341629

Dance for young children finding the magic in movement by Sue Stinson

Answer 6

Put on some music: march, skip, hop, walk backwards and sideways. Lay a board (2"x4") on the floor. Use it as a balance beam. Walk, heel to toe, on it. (Looking straight ahead, not down. It's easier, believe me.) You can even practice walking backwards on it. Walk like a duck (squat down low, and walk) Use "words" to learn their meanings as you stretch high, low, to the left, to the right. Play "simon says" using lots of descriptive works. Touch your hip, elbow, shoulder, thigh, eyebrow, eyelashes, heel, wrist. They'll learn a lot from this.

Answer 7

Try a Kids in Motion CD. My 4 yo likes the "bear hunt" story, and he really pays attention to his teacher to learn all of the moves.
This cd is full of great motion songs to get your kids up and going.

Answer 8

ok,I worked in daycare with 3 year old for about 8 years..i used to play music and let them get down on the floor and crawl fast/slow to the music..used ribbons and dance to the sounds..you can try giving them an animal to become and move with the music/or be a tree in the wind swaying with the music

Answer 9

I would go and buy and of the DR. Jean CD's. She is great and she has a song for everything. I teach kindergarten and we use them all the time, the children love her!

Answer 10

There's a good song "Shake you sillies out":


I'm gonna shake, shake, shake my sillies out,
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out,
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out,
Wiggle my wiles away!

They shake their feet one time thru,
Hands once,
Arms, etc.