Lazy eights to music

Children draw big sideways figures of eight in time with calm music – practising smooth movement and both hands working together.

Steps

1. Stick large sheets of paper on the wall or table, one per child.
2. The teacher shows a sideways eight (an infinity sign): start in the middle, move up and to the left, then to the right.
3. Children draw it in the air with the whole arm, then with a wax crayon on paper – first one hand, then the other, and finally both together.
4. Slow and fast music: children match their drawing speed to the rhythm.
5. Finally they colour the shapes inside the eights in different colours.

Tip: Smoothness matters more than shape. The eyes follow the crayon while the head stays still – which also trains hand–eye coordination.

Materials needed

• Brown paper roll (1 roll)
• Chunky wax crayons (1 pack per 4 children)