Movement During Quarantine Part 3: Animal Movements

Animal movements are always a heavy feature with Watch Me Move sessions. Use your imagination and create a story with the animals (A Trip to the Zoo, A Trip to the Barn, A Trip to the Forest/Jungle/Desert/Ocean). Great ways to incorporate life sciences education with movement fun!

Bear Crawl

Start in a table-top position (hands and knees – hands directly under shoulders). Gently lift knees 1-2 inches off the ground. Travel by crawling, keeping back flat, knees bent and close to the ground. Add challenge by putting something on back to balance. Crawl forward, backward, lateral, bear crawls are not about speed. Add challenging "wounded bear" by eliminating one leg or one arm.

Crab Walk

Start on bottom with hands behind and legs bent at knees in front. Lift bottom off the ground. Keep belly as parallel to the ground as possible. Add challenge by putting something on belly to balance. Crawl forward, backward, lateral, crab walks are not about speed. Add challenging toe touches. While in crab walk position and keeping bottom off ground, pick up one hand and reach across to the opposite foot that has been lifted off the ground, repeat on other side.

Gorilla Walk

Deep squat, hands between legs on ground like gorilla, using them as a “post” as you swing your legs to travel. Stay in deep squat as you travel in any direction.

Bunny Hop

Keep two feet together on jump and landing.

Frog Jump

Start in deep squat with hands on the ground (like gorilla). Jump up as high as you can, hands and feet leaving ground at the same time. Land and return to starting position.

Inchworm

Start standing. Bend and lower hands to ground, keep feet still as you walk hands out to high plank or push-up position. From plank, keep hands still as you walk feet in towards your hands.

Alligator Crawl (aka Commando Crawl)

On belly. Staying as low to the ground as possible. Alternating right arm/left leg and left arm/right leg.

Seal Crawl

Start in cobra position (legs on ground, belly and chest off with hands on ground at sides). Crawl using only hands, dragging legs behind.