Young Children - May 2008 - (Page 29) kinesthetically. Lead the children in “Che Che Koolay,” a musical call-and-response activity from Ghana, demonstrating the motions for each response. (Find the words, with video and audio, at www.cyloong.com/Multicultural/ AfricanAmerican.html.) Teacher (solo) Children (echo) Motion Che che koolay Che che kofee sa Kofee salanga Kakashee langa Koommadyeday Che a ehday Che che koolay Che che kofee sa Kofee salanga Kakashee langa Koommadyeday Che a ehday Hands on head Hands on shoulders Hands on waist Hands on knees Hands touch toes Everyone squats low “Going on a Lion Hunt” is too long to include here, but you can find this chant online, at www.songsforteaching. com/chants/lionhunt.htm. Afternoon balance and spatial orientation In classrooms where napping is no longer part of the day, invigorate children with a break for Afternoon Rock and Roll. This movement activity improves balance and engages the front and back of the brain and the vestibular system. Direct the children to 1. Stand tall, keeping knees soft (slightly bent) and the core strong. 2. Breathe slowly and deeply. Focus your eyes on something not moving. 3. Rock back and forth: forward to toes and backward to heels. 4. Rock forward and stop, then backward and stop. 5. Stand, with knees still soft, and roll forearms in front of the body. Reverse the direction of the roll. 6. Continue rolling arms and move them downward toward the earth and upward toward the sky. (Variations: slow/fast, stop/go.) The Hand Jive is a classic, rhythmic activity that is easy to learn and fun to do. Children may sit or stand to perform it. Calling out words (left column, below) for each movement (right column, below) helps children remember the motions. The teacher may also give a cue for everyone to freeze on the second hitchhiker thumb, to transition to the next activity (Vagovic & Dohoney 2007). Pat, pat Clap, clap Over, over Under, under Potato, potato Pat thighs two times. Clap hands two times. Cross hands (like big scissors) two times. Switch the top and bottom hands and cross twice again. Bump fists together twice, top to bottom (1-potato, 2-potato). Potato, potato Thumb, thumb Thumb, thumb Switch the top and bottom fists and bump them twice. Pump thumb back over shoulder (hitchhiker) two times. Repeat the thumb-over-the-shoulder movement twice with the other hand. Another activity, Toe Tapping, energizes the legs and feet while calling for concentration. Children can tap their toes while seated. Each round becomes more demanding! Instead of tapping, patting the lap may be easier for younger children to learn. Lead the children in these repetitions: Tap the right foot 8 times, tap the left foot 8 times. Tap the right foot 4 times, tap the left foot 4 times. Tap the right foot 2 times, tap the left foot 2 times. Tap the right foot 1 time, tap the left foot 1 time. 1 set 2 sets 4 sets 8 sets Wake-up after nap time Waking up their bodies is a favorite routine for preschoolers and helps them begin to focus on afternoon activities. Gently lead them in After-Rest Wake Up, which helps children awaken gradually while identifying parts of the body. These are the movements: 1. Tap the fingertips together. 2. Pat the hands together, then pat each arm. 3. Pat the stomach, sides, and back. 4. Pat the thighs, knees, shins, and ankles. 5. Pat your hair, wiggle the ears, lift the eyebrows, and wrinkle the nose. Young Children • May 2008 29 http://www.cyloong.com/Multicultural/AfricanAmerican.html http://www.cyloong.com/Multicultural/AfricanAmerican.html http://www.cyloong.com/Multicultural/AfricanAmerican.html
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.