Fast and Slow March

What you need

• two wooden spoons to tap together

How to do it

1. Tap the spoons together in a slow, steady beat and march round the room in time.
2. Speed the beat up and march faster.
3. Slow right down to giant slow steps, then stop dead when the tapping stops.
4. Give them the spoons and let them set the beat for you.

Why it matters

Matching their feet to a beat they can hear joins listening and moving together.

What they're learning

Moving to a beat

Stepping in time with a tap is matching the body to a sound.

Fast and slow

Speeding up and slowing down on purpose takes control.

Stopping on a signal

Freezing when the sound stops is listening while moving.

What to look for

Notice their steps changing speed before you say 'faster' or 'slower'.

A tip

Clear a loop round the room first so they can march without bumping into furniture.

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