Take a Hat Game

That hat is simply a prop to focus attention on the performer and doesn't have to be appropriate to the role the child chooses.

Objectives

Children ages 4-5 can demonstrate meaning of words by pantomime Lang. IIIB
ages 1 ½-2 can imitate 2-3 word sentences in a song Lang. IA
and ages 1-1 ½ can listen to rhymes and jingles Lang. IA
All children participating will be able to take turns SE IV
and partake in imitative role play Cog. IV A

 
 
 

Materials

Cushions on floor (one per child); variety of hats (one per child);
guitar, autoharp, or piano accompaniment, if possible; songs (lyrics appear on Music lesson pages).

Procedures

1. Children sit on cushions in a circle with hats in the center.

2. Whole group sings and acts out Song A. When stanza ends, they go back to seats in circle and return hats to center.

3. Choose one child at a time to act out Song B (take a hat, dance around outside the circle, pantomiming animal or object) while group sings song and tries to guess what (s)he is acting out.

If the group has trouble guessing, dancer can offer hints, e.g., sound it starts with, noise it makes, etc.