Would the hokey cokey be a good physical activity to do with children 10 - 18 months for an observation..??

Question

i am doing my nvq 2 in child care and have to be observed doing a physical and imaginary activity with the children..i work in the baby unit with age range of 10 - 18 months... i have the choice to do this with the older children...i am so nervous about this i am not sure what would be best....

Answer 1

How about "Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes" or the echo song in which the fingers introduce themselves to each other (Where is Thumbkin...Here I am...How are you today sir--very well I thank you...run away)? Basic is good for little ones. (Keep it simple, sam) 8-]

You can do it!

Answer 2

If you call it the Hokey "Cokey", you'll fail for sure! The Hokey Pokey is good for older kids, as are all the silly dances you can find on kids dance DVDs.

For babies that young, and simple game like Hand Hand Fingers Thumb and other physical activities that concentrate on one body part at a time. Babies can't understand the concept of Hokey Pokey, but they can do simple things like raise a hand and take simple directions.

Answer 3

I find that Hokey Pokey is very difficult at this age...it's fun to do for fun but they really can not participate to the fullest yet.

I agree with Head Shoulders Knees and Toes.  I would steer away from using recordings of this song because they tend to do it to fast for 10-18 month old children.  Sing it yourself and do a few times getting a wee bit faster each time.

There are quite a few books out there that incorporate physical activity that you could use as a "jumping board".  One of them is Clap Your Hands by Linda Bryan Cauley. There are quite a few versions of If Your Happy and You Know It and the children love to imitate the actions.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Hi, I work with children in the baby unit at the moment and I would defiantly give head shoulders knees and toes a go but i would also try the Hokey Cokey. These children are far to young to copy you fully but what you would be observing is that they are able to attempt to dance even if it is only wiggling their bottoms this would allow u 2 see that they are aware that music is playing and that they react by dancing. The older children can often copy adults by touching familiar body parts. Remember as long as you get up there and give it your all the more likely the little ones are to get up and go  with u - if they dnt get up dnt worry, lift up one of the smaller babies who are quite happy and dance with them, then in ur evaluation say that the children were not keen to participate but that u will continue to introduce music and dance to the children.

Good Luck - hope it goes well.