Working in Unison
Explain that working in unison means working together at the same time. Copy this short sequence together with your child or children:
- Clap hands x4 , tap knees x4 , tap head x4, clap hands x4.
Repeat several times to allow children to practice keeping in time. Continue counting in fours, but ask children to change their actions—for example, tap elbow x4 or stamp foot x4.
Develop into a moving sequence: walk x4, clap x4, jump x4, clap x4, turn on spot with 4 steps, clap x4.
Task: Children should create a sequence to perform. This sequence can contain any action that can be performed to the same beat pattern as the clap, e.g. hop, small jump, stamping, etc.
Easier: Allowing clapping x4 between each move allows children to keep up with everyone else.
Challenge: Ask children if they can perform the same sequence, moving backwards and sideways.
Extension: Can they incorporate a balance and hold for 4 counts, then resume movement to the count of 4? How many household members can you get involved to perform your sequence in unison?