1. This document provides instructions for using the song "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" to teach a child to follow movement directions. 2. The song prompts the child to move different body parts while singing along. 3. Repeating the song at different speeds and including additional body parts helps the child practice attending to and following the instructions.

1. Head and Shoulders
Teacher View
Questions To Consider:
How is this child able to follow the directions in the song?1.
In what ways does he move his body during this activity?2.
How long is he able to attend to this experience?3.
Why is this Important:
There are many songs that you can use to teach children how to follow a two-step movement. The rhythm of musical directions
helps children remember and sequence the steps in the directions and adds playfulness to the learning activity.
Materials:
musical tape or CD, if needed
song, "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes"
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
What To Do:
Invite this child to sing a song with you. Explain that this song requires him to listen to the words of the song and pay1.
attention to the motions he will do while singing.
Sing the song slowly, allowing plenty of time for this child to follow along and copy the movements you demonstrate.2.
Repeat the song, and alter the tempo, if desired. You can also adapt the song to include different body parts such as arms,3.
elbows, hair and chin, hair and chin.
Give this child a chance to do the actions on his own without you moving along with him. Now it's your turn to do the actions4.
on your own while I sing.
You can add another step to the directions by singing the song again, but choosing a body part to silently point to instead of5.
saying the word. This time when we sing, we won't say "head," we'll just point to our heads without saying the word. Let's try
it together.
Look for other movement songs to use with this activity such as "The Hokey Pokey," "The Green Grass Grows All Around,"6.
"Down by the Bay," and others.
Objectives / Dimensions:
1a. Manages feelings
1b. Follows limits and expectations
5a. Sits and stands
8a. Comprehends language
8b. Follows directions
S8a. Comprende el lenguaje
S8b. Sigue instrucciones
11a. Attends and engages
15a. Notices and discriminates rhyme
S15a. Nota y diferencia la rima
23. Demonstrates knowledge of patterns
29. Demonstrates knowledge about self
34. Explores musical concepts and expression
35. Explores dance and movement concepts
37. Demonstrates progress in listening to and understanding English
38. Demonstrates progress in speaking English
Page 1February 13, 2014