I Can Turn Myself

Purpose:  Young children are still in the process of understanding the relationship of their bodies to the rest of the world.  This activity will help them to experience awareness and control of their bodies as they expand and contract with the words of the poem.  The activity is also a wonderful way to get a group focused in order to begin a new day together.

 

Materials/Advance Preparation:  none

 

 

Directions:

Recite the following, demonstrating the body movements as you speak.  For some children, it will take practice to be able to follow easily, so using this activity fairly often will help them learn it and to complete the motions with increasing confidence.

I can turn myself and turn myself and curl up when I will.
(turn whole body around and then crouch down)

I can stand on tiptoes reaching high.
(stand on toes with arms up)

Or I can be quite still.
(stand still)

I can be as tall as a tall, tall tree.
(reach up with arms like branches)

Or as small as a tiny seed.
(crouch down)

I can be as wide as the whole wide world.
(reach arms and legs out wide)

Or I can be just me!
(cross hands over chest)

 

Eric Gidseg

 

 

Activities Home | Language Strand | Skills | Theme | Type | All