Move Like an Animal
Here's What To Do
1
Gather everyone in the family who wants to play. Ask a child to choose an animal whose movement you could copy. Everyone has to move a certain distance (down a hallway, a lap around the swingset, etc.) doing that animal's move. Examples:
- Slow sloth moving
- Swing your elephant trunk
- A frog hop
- A kangaroo jump
- Bird or butterfly arms
- Slither on the ground like a snake
- "Swim" like a dolphin or fish
2
Demonstrate how to move like that animal, and see if your child can copy you (or let an older child be the demonstrator!).
3
Let someone else in the family choose the next animal for everyone to copy.
4
Keep going until you're tired! Have fun, and don't forget to make silly animal noises too.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Warm up before you move. Swing your arms in circles, roll your head around in circles, and twist from side to side.
E
Engage:
- "We're going to move like an animal from here to the couch. I'll go first, let's all… walk like an elephant!"
- "Ana, can you choose the next animal? An owl? I think an owl moves like this."
E
Encourage:
- "Gabriela, you're working so hard to slither like a snake!"
- "You're right, it is super tiring hopping like a frog. It's good for all of us though because it's making our muscles stronger!"
R
Reflect:
- How do our bodies feel after moving like animals?
Not quite ready?
Children can copy more familiar animals like dogs and cats.
Ready for more?
Let your child be the leader and show you how to move like an animal.
As your child masters this skill...
They will be able to copy new movements during exercise.