Here is the 2nd set of gross rhythmic motor skills, numbered 7 through 11. This group is for school age children who have mastered motor skills 1 through 6.

The advanced set of large rhythmic motor skills numbered 12 through 16 can be found here. Skills are listed in order of difficulty; easiest first.

If necessary at the beginning, stay at the student's side, facing the same direction, holding one of his hands, moving along together. First, concentrate on just moving to the rhythm; perfection of technique follows with practice.

Ways to move: singly; with partners or in groups; in straight of curving lines; circles or other shapes; forward, backward, sideways, diagonally; in combinations of steps such as 2 skips and 4 gallops and repeat. Examples of sets and combinations.

Teacher or onlookers clap the rhythm using hands or rhythm instrument.

tum = a strong beat of one count.
ta = weaker beat of half a count.
& = a pause in action; a transition to a different step

7. Jumping

Done with both feet leaving floor and landing in unison. In take-off, knees bend and feet press into floor to give power to push off. In landing, feet come down to floor in gradual succession. First balls of feet, (half toe position), then heels, then knees bend to absorb the shock of landing. Arms outstretched to sides for balance.
Clap: tum, tum, tum, tum

8. Leaping

Large springs from one foot to the next, to the next, etc. In succession from push off of the foot that just landed. As foot lands that knee bends to provide power for foot pushing off. Legs and feet are stretched while in mid-leap. Arms swing up to shoulder height in opposition for balance.
Clap: tum, tum, tum, tum

9. Pedaling

Standing with feet parallel, one foot pushes forward onto ball of foot, (half toe), stretching instep, then lowers while other foot simultaneously pushes up to ball of foot. Feet remain parallel, almost touching, along inside edges. Hands on waist or arms outstretched to sides for balance. Slow tempo, then quicker.
Clap: tum, tum, tum, tum, then: ta, ta, ta, ta, ta, ta, ta, ta

10. Prancing

As in Pedaling—but active foot raises off floor slightly, toe pointed. Once step sequence is mastered a bounce is added by bending the knee of the supporting leg with each change of leg. Left leg, right leg, left leg etc. Hands on waist or arms outstretched for balance. Practiced in place or moving forward or backward.
Clap slowly, then quickly: tum, tum, tum, tum

11. Toe Pointing

Standing in place, supporting leg remains still while active foot points so that tip of toe lightly taps floor counts 1, 2, 3. Count 4 brings active foot back alongside supporting foot. Alternate pointing foot for each 4 count set. Arms outstretched to sides for balance.
Clap: tum, tum, tum, tum

Advanced Rhythmic Motor Skills numbered 12 - 16
Rhythmic Motor Skills for Toddlers and Preschoolers numbered 1 - 6

Rhythms and Dances for School Age Kids
For grades K-12 in 100 pages, how to teach 16 rhythmic dance steps illustrated and described, plus 9 little dances, 18 ABA and other sequencing combinations, and 4 advanced group dances - for learning kinesthetically about math sets, sequencing, and language phrasing and rhythms. Can be adapted for special needs kids.


For younger kids
Rhythms and Dances for Toddlers and Preschoolers
How to teach toddlers and preschoolers rhythms, floor exercises, large motor skills, expressive dance, kinesthetic mini-lessons and full dances in a 98 pages including photos and illustrations.


About the author
Susan Kramer has been teaching yoga, meditation and dance to students of all ages and abilities since 1965.

Article, illustrations and photo credits Susan Kramer