Circle Dance Using Rhythmic Motor Skills and Songs

Kinesthetic Lessons for Toddlers and Preschoolers by Susan Kramer

Contents

1. ABA Sequencing Lesson
2. Benefits of Young Kids Learning Motor Skills
3. Circle Dance Using Rhythmic Motor Skills and Songs
4. Curving and Zigzag Shapes Lesson
5. Diagonal Line Shape Lesson
6. Climbing Stairs Lesson
7. Clockwise and Counterclockwise Lesson
8. Developing Concentration
9. Learning Right and Left Side
10. Outlining Shapes
11. Straight Lines Game

12. Making Horizontal Lines Lesson
13. Stretching in Vertical Lines Lesson
14. Moving Forward and Backward for Young Kids
15. Three Beginning Rhythmic Motor Skills
16. Three More Advanced Rhythmic Motor Skills
17. Moving in Directions Lesson
18. Straight Line Kinesthetic Lessons
19. Circles and Circling Lines Lesson
20. Curved and Bending Lines Lesson
21. Developing Language Skills Birth to 5

3. Circle Dance Using Rhythmic Motor Skills and Songs

Ages: 4+

Skills to practice and learn:
1. Directions of forward, backward, sideways, to left, to right, clockwise, counter-clockwise;
2. Gross motor skills and rhythms of marching, sliding and running;
3. Following directions;
4. Cooperation;
5. Circle shape;
6. Hear breaks in language through verse and song.

Preparation:
Enough clear floor space to move in; moving furniture to the sides of room works, as well as outdoors.

Method:
All join hands, and stretch out in circle shape facing center.

While holding hands teacher instructs to march forward to center and then march backward to place. Again, all march forward to center, and then march backward to place.

Still holding hands all slide sideward to right, (counter-clockwise), while facing center; then teacher instructs to stop; then all slide to left, (clockwise), while still holding hands.

Now drop hands and run forward to center and sit on floor. Alternately, at this point, instead of sitting, students run backward to form circle again, hold hands, and repeat sequence of counter-clockwise and clockwise circles while sliding.

For accompaniment teacher and observers clap, play rhythm instruments, say a verse or "sing a song". Some songs I have used: Baa, Baa, Black Sheep; Bobby Shaftoe; Mary Had a Little Lamb; Allouette; Frère Jacques and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

Alternately, the changes in direction can be at the natural pauses in the verse or song.

After students learn the movement pattern they can sing along while moving.

Article by Susan Kramer

Resources for parents, teachers and homeschooling families: