Follow the Leader
An old standard—open-ended
and versatile.
Objectives
Children ages 2 ½-3 years can carry out 2 simple related
commands at once Lang. IA
age 2-2 ½ can follow directions Lang. IA
and they can walk, run, hop, jump, and balance themselves GM I
All children participating can imitate body movements and follow visual
clues Cog. IV A
Materials
Recorded music if
possible.
Procedures
1. In a large space, have children form a line in back of the teacher.
Lead children around the room, weaving different patterns, verbally directing
while walking in a circle, diagonally, in a square, in a figure 8, etc.
2. While walking, call out various ways to move. Demonstrate and have the children
imitate, following behind you, e.g., walk with arms up over head, walk in tiny
bird steps, walk in giant elephant steps, on tiptoe, down low like going under
something, hop on one, then two feet, walk on heels, walk with stiff legs, walk
with bent legs like wobbly jelly, walk backwards, then forwards, crawl on all
4's like an animal.
3. Teacher stands at side while verbally giving directions. One child is leader
and others follow behind. The teacher might want to be one of the followers in
order to help keep things flowing.
|