My Body is Wiggling
Music and movement activities help children develop body awareness, self-regulation skills, and joy in physical expression.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Champions of Character
- Learning area: Music and Movement
- Level: EYFS Birth-2
Objectives
- Move and wiggle to music, identifying which body parts they are using
Materials
- Music player
- Scarf props (optional)
- Body parts song
Instructions
Clear a space for movement and gather children in a circle. Begin with a body awareness warm-up: 'Let's wake up our bodies! Can you wiggle your fingers? Now your toes! How about your whole arms?'
Play upbeat music and guide children through increasingly active movements: 'Now let's wiggle our heads gently! Let's swing our arms like trees in the wind! Let's shake our whole bodies!' Model each movement with enthusiasm and joy.
Pause the music occasionally and ask: 'Which part did you just move? How did it feel?' Help children develop vocabulary for body parts and movement sensations: 'Your legs were jumping! They must feel strong and bouncy!'
Invite children to create their own 'wiggle moves' and teach them to the class. This builds confidence and celebrates individual creativity. Close with calm stretching and deep breathing: 'Now let's help our bodies rest. Breathe in slowly... breathe out slowly. What a wonderful job our bodies did today!'
Educator tip
Allow children to move at their own comfort level—some may be enthusiastic wigglers while others prefer gentler movements. Both are valid expressions of body awareness.
Assessment
Observe and note: sustained engagement, sensory responses, early vocalisations, and attachment behaviours. Document using the Characteristics of Effective Learning framework (Playing and Exploring). Observe movement participation, rhythm awareness, ability to identify body parts being used, and self-regulation during transitions between active and calm states.