Back in the day, we spent a lot of time in early childhood classrooms doing the following:
Songs with actions that you sing and tell children to copy the movements
Recorded music like We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Animal Action or anything that prompts children to move or pretend in various ways
Call and repeat songs and chants
Playing games like Red Light, Green Light; Simon Says; Duck, Duck Goose or my personal favorite, Doggie Doggie Where’s Your Bone?
Oh wait! You currently do these things in your classroom?
It’s not just something we did “back in the day”? Fan-tastic!
Here’s why:
Any playful game, song, or movement activity that prompts children to do or say specific things is teaching….
::wait for it::
DIRECTION-FOLLOWING!!!!
Yes, the reason we play these games so much in early childhood is because it helps children grow to love participating in teacher-directed activities because they are fun and playful and…
These songs, games, and activities get children in the habit to “follow directions” at a time when they are self-motivated to do so.
Do these activities daily and children become used to copying you and doing what you (or the singer on a recorded song) says…so they are forming the HABIT of following your lead and following your directions…and, over time they will be more likely to follow directions at other times of day.
Plus, you just might find yourself enjoying going on a bear hunt!
What’s a favorite song or game for the children you work with?
Let us know in the comments so everyone can get ideas from each other!
And if you want to learn more classroom transitions tips and strategies check out the Transitions Tipsheet I created to help you get from clean up chaos to transition magic!
