Pin the Body Part: Body Sketch + Song

Level 1 focuses on concrete, hands-on learning.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Materials

- Large butcher paper or easel paper

- Markers in various colours

- Sugar paper scraps (various colours and textures)

- Child safe scissors

- Glue sticks

- A printed, simple outline drawing of a person (adult or child size)

- A song chart with lyrics for "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes"

- Music player

Learning Objectives

- Children will be able to identify and name at least three body parts.

- Children will develop fine motor skills through cutting and gluing.

- Children will actively participate in a group song, pointing to indicated body parts.

- Children will demonstrate an understanding of their own bodies and how they are similar to others in their family.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Gather the children around the large paper displayed on an easel or the floor. Hold up the person outline and say, "Look at this person! This is like our friends and family members. What body parts do you think are missing?"

2. Introduce the song "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes." Sing the song together once, encouraging children to point to their own body parts as you sing them.

3. Explain that you will be adding body parts to the person outline. Ask, "What is the first body part we sing about in our song? Yes, head! Let's find a way to make a head for our person."

4. Offer sugar paper scraps and child safe scissors for the children to cut out shapes or pieces they think look like a head. Provide glue sticks for them to attach their creations to the outline.

5. Continue with other body parts mentioned in the song, such as shoulders, knees, and toes. Invite children to cut and glue these parts onto the drawing. Encourage them to describe what they are doing, for example, "I am making a big, blue shoulder!"

6. If time and interest allow, you can introduce other body parts not in the song, like eyes, nose, or mouth, and ask children what they use those parts for.

7. As you add body parts, connect them to the idea of family. "See how our person has fingers? Your parents have fingers too! And you have fingers!"

8. Once the body sketch is complete, sing the song one more time, this time pointing to the body parts on the drawing.

Educator Tip

For children who struggle with scissors, you can pre-cut shapes for them or tear paper for a different textural experience. Ensure ample space for children to move and point during the song. Encourage them to think about how their own family members have these body parts too.

Assessment

Observe children's participation in the song, noting if they can follow directions and point to the correct body parts on themselves and the drawing. Document their ability to name body parts when prompted. Note their engagement with the cutting and gluing process, assessing their fine motor skill development.

Educator tip

Use visual schedule; model positional language.

Assessment

Observe and note: ability to follow two-step instructions, use of new vocabulary in context, early problem-solving strategies, and sustained shared thinking episodes. Assess against Development Matters age-band expectations. Teacher checklist: engagement, body part placement.

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