Pin the Body Part: Body Sketch + Song

Toddlers learn through action + language.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Materials

Large piece of butcher paper

Markers (thick tip, washable)

Sugar paper (various colours)

Safety scissors

Glue sticks

Pictures of family members (photocopied or drawn)

Music player or device

“Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” song lyrics (optional, for reference)

Learning Objectives

Children will be able to identify and point to at least two body parts on themselves or others.

Children will participate in a group song and movement activity.

Children will demonstrate fine motor skills by attempting to glue shapes onto paper.

Children will develop an early understanding of body part names.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Gather the children in a circle. Show them the large butcher paper and explain, “We’re going to draw a big person, just like in our families!”

2. Begin drawing a simple outline of a body on the butcher paper, talking about the parts as you go. For example, “Here’s the head! Let’s put some hair on the head, like Mommy or Daddy!”

3. While you draw, ask your assistant or another child to hold up a picture of a family member and say, “Look, this is Grandpa! Where is Grandpa’s nose?” Encourage children to point.

4. Cut out simple shapes from sugar paper to represent body parts (circles for heads, ovals for bodies, etc.) and let the children select a few to glue onto the large body sketch. This represents adding people to our big family picture.

5. Introduce the song “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.” Sing it slowly, touching each body part on yourself as you sing. Say, “Just like you have a head, your sister/brother has a head too!”

6. Invite the children to sing along and touch their own body parts. Some children may need gentle physical guidance.

7. As the song progresses, point to the body parts on the large drawing. “Where are the eyes on our big person? Can you find them like your eyes?”

8. End by looking at the finished body sketch and the pictures of their family members, reinforcing the idea that each person in their family has these body parts.

Educator Tip

To make this activity even more personal, ask families to send in a favourite picture of their child with their family members beforehand. You can then incorporate these photos into the large body sketch, or have them available for children to point to and identify during the song. Ensure all materials are non-toxic and safe for toddlers.

Assessment

Observe children’s participation in the song and their ability to point to body parts when named, either on themselves or the large drawing. Note any children who show emerging understanding of body part names or who are actively exploring the materials during the gluing activity.

Educator tip

Use choice questions; keep groups small.

Assessment

Observe and note: emerging independence, two-word combinations, imitation of actions, and early pretend play. Use Development Matters non-statutory guidance checkpoints. Observe participation, pointing accuracy.

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