Balance (Gross Motor)
Following oral directions, improving balance, and learning to focus while playing the song "Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K448, II. Andante"
Instructions
Play song Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K448, II. Andante or click here to listen. Play music in the background while asking the child to follow these directions helps a child learn to focus even with distractions
- Ask a child to stand very still on two feet
- Ask a child to stand on one foot
- Ask a child to hop on two feet
- Ask a child to hop on one foot
- Ask a child to stand on the right foot
- Ask a child to hop on the right foot
- Ask a child to hop on both feet
- Ask a child to stand on the left foot
- Ask a child to hop on the left foot
- Ask a child to stand on both feet
- Ask a child to stand on two feet while you count to 5
- Ask a child to stand on one foot while you count to 5
Simplify
When saying aloud to the child what to do, stand next to child and do each motion along with child.
Extend
Encourage the child to come up with his own motions and say aloud for an adult to follow. Trading the roles of who gives the directions is not only fun but improves leadership skills.
QUESTIONS FOR CHILD
What types of instruments are making the music in the song?
When do you listen to music?
Materials
- any music playing in the background (we suggested Sonata for Two Pianos or listen to this video for the child to hear a classical piano piece)
Activity Resources
Share This Activity
Curriculum Plan Resources
Skills Focus
- Shape - Square
- Color - Yellow
- Number - One, 1
- Alphabet Letter - A, E
- Senses - Touch
- Character Trait - Caring
- Target Words - In, Out, Empty, Full
Monthly Proverb
Swedish - The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm.
Did You Know?
Children who are not ready for kindergarten often have trouble succeeding in school. Those who do poorly in school are more likely to need to repeat classes, need special education, drop out of school, become teen parents, and get into trouble with the law. As adults, drop-outs have trouble making a living wage, and are at risk of poverty and homelessness
From Plan for the Washington Early Learning System – Draft 12/1/09 (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 2005; Isaacs, 2008).
Books to Read
"The Mitten"
by Jan Brett (Activity 22)
"Little Blue and Little Yellow"
by Leo Lionni (Activity 8)
"How Kind"
by Mary Murphy (Activity 12)
"Little Blue and Little Yellow" VIDEO
by Leo Lionni (Activity 8)
"The Mitten" VIDEO
by Jan Brett (Activity 22)
"How Kind" VIDEO
by Mary Murphy (Activity 12)
Music Playlist
"The Hokey Pokey"
by Music for Little People Choir from album Toddlers Sing Playtime (Children) (Activity 14)
"Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K448 II."
Andante by Alicia de Larrocha from album Mozart: Concerto & Sonata for 2 pianos (Classical) (Activity 20)
"ABC (The Alphabet Song)"
from album Dora the Explorer (Children) (Activity 1)
"The Hokey Pokey" VIDEO
by The Learning Station (Activity 14)
"Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K448, II. Andante" VIDEO
by Mozart (Activity 20)
"ABC (The Alphabet Song" VIDEO
by Dora the Explorer
Monthly Materials List
Click Here to view the list!
Fingerplay / Poems / Songs
Select one poem for child to memorize this month and recite it at bedtime plus one song/fingerplay to learn. Here are two examples:
My NAME Song
(Activity 25 Month 1 - Sung to tune of BINGO)
There was a family had a child
and Carly (insert child's name) was her name.
C - A - R - L - Y C - A - R - L - Y C - A - R - L - Y (spell child's name)
And Carly (insert child's name) was her name
Kind To Others
(Activity 13 Month 1 - Fingerplay)
5 little children
Standing in a row ( hold up 5 fingers)
They are kind to others
Everywhere they go. (walk hand in front of body)
I am one of the children (point to self)
Standing in a row (hold up 5 fingers)
I'll be kind to others (point to self)
Wherever I go. (walk hand in front of body)
(This fingerplay works as a reminder to a child to be kind in any situation- without saying a word. Just walk hand in front of body to silently signal a child to remember to be kind or use actual sign language for the word kind.)