With young children we know it is of benefit to have activities that will support them in getting their bodies moving and they need to be read to daily. There are a good number of books that have a movement component to them that allow for creative expansion activities.
Here are my go to books that have a movement component to them:
- Wriggly Pig by Jon Blake
- Tumble Bumble by felicia Bond
- Silly Sally by Audrey Wood
- Clap Your Hands by Lorinda Bryan Cauley
- Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi
Activities can be as simple as acting out the characters’ movements to using something like our Movement Sticks. These also make a great 5-10 minute movement activity that helps break up more structured activities, works for transition time and just for the fun of doing.
The Movement Sticks are simple and low cost. Take colored jumbo craft sticks and glue movement idea strips to them.
You can pre-make or have the children provide the movement ideas and help to glue up the sticks. You could also write them out, but I’ve found printed out and glued stay clearer longer. Ideas can also be added as favorite actions change with the group.
Following are the movement ideas from our sticks:
- pretend hula hooping
- walk backwards
- jump backwards
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- frog jumps
- wiggle worm
- highest leap
- helicopters
- jump sideways
- ants in your pants
- walk sideways
- twisting toe touch
- hop one foot then other
- silly walk
- jumping jacks
- tree in a stormy wind
- giant steps
- head, shoulders, knees, toes
- jump in a circle
- two foot jumps
- pretend on balance beam
- pretend to pedal a bike
- egg rock and roll
- side stretches
- jack in the box
- run in place
- tree in a breeze
- dance
- pretend climbing stairs
- leg swing right, then left
- pretend bowling
- hop like a rabbit
- touch your toes
For a printable list click this link.
