Home » » Physical Education » Muscular Coordination Activities For The Young Child

Muscular Coordination Activities For The Young Child

© Gina Dronenburg

There are many different songs, chants, and games that we play with our little ones, not even realizing that we're giving them "practice" time at muscular coordination. Many young children are little sponges when it comes to music, rhythm, rhyming and movements! They really become excited at the thought of "acting out" to music with different movements!

Below, I've included a couple "traditional" songs/chants with a few variations. Try a few below and have some fun!

1. Head And Shoulders

Begin by leading the children in touching each part of their body that corresponds to the words in the following song:

Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes. Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes, Eyes, and ears and mouth and nose, Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.

(A variation to this is to start as slowly as possible and then speed up and do the movements as fast as you can! The little ones love this, because they can't keep up. :) (This one will create lots of "extra" energy and giggles.)(You could also do this, and leave out the name of the part of the body that you are touching, going in successive order...similar to the "BINGO" song where each letter is "clapped", only with this song, it is touched but not said instead.)

2. Peter Hammers

With this song, have the child sit on the floor, legs out in front and arms at their sides ready to "pound" on the floor. Say each verse once, and add "all day long" to the end of the second time it is said, only saying the number of hammers once, then, go on to the next verse.) *See the first verse below for what I mean.*

Peter hammers with one hammer, one hammer, one hammer. (pound one fist on floor) Peter hammers with one hammer all day long.

Peter hammers with two hammers, two hammers, two hammers. (pound two fists on the floor)

Peter hammers with three hammers, three hammers, three hammers. (pound two fists and one leg/foot on the floor)

Peter hammers with four hammers, four hammers, four hammers. (pound two fists and two legs/feet on floor)

Peter hammers with five hammers, five hammers, five hammers. (pound two fists and two legs/feet on floor and shake head up and down)

Peter's very tired now, tired now, tired now. (roll over on belly, rub eyes, and lay head down on hands to pretend to sleep)

Lots more variations can be added to these songs, just use your imagination! (Hint: Sometimes taking parts of other songs for children, and incorporating them makes a "new" and "fun" activity!) Try it! :)

The copyright of the article Muscular Coordination Activities For The Young Child in Physical Education is owned by . Permission to republish Muscular Coordination Activities For The Young Child in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.