Purpose:
This dramatic activity
incorporates imagination, knowledge about animals, and movement. The language
used to describe the animals should attempt to capture something that is
special about them (see below).
Materials/Advance Preparation:
Directions:
- This
game should be played in a space that has enough room for the children to move
easily and safely. Do not reprimand them if they occasionally bump each
other; keep a positive atmosphere.
- Explain
to the children that they will become the animal you name and will move as you
describe. They need to all move in one direction ("follow
Mary"), and the "animals" never bump into each other.
- Name
an animal. Also use a word that describes how the animal moves (e.g. slither
like a snake, hop like a bunny, lumber like a bear). If the descriptive
word may be unfamiliar to the children, demonstrate one way to interpret the
movement so that they see it as well as hear it.
- Try
to balance active animals with slow moving ones. It's always a good idea to
end with a slow-moving animal so that the children are left in a receptive
mood.
Notes: This game can be used out of doors. It's a great
way to get the children moving, learn about the animals, and practice words
that describe the animals' movements. You could also use words like over,
under and through, having the snake slither under the log or the
deer jump over the fence.
Eric Gidseg
Move like an Animal