Moving backward, all the while facing forward, is the concept to practice in these lessons.

Age level: Preschoolers and older.

Lesson One

This is for preschoolers, especially, since any mode of moving is acceptable. Prepare an open space for kids to move. Some ideas: out on the lawn; on the playground; multi-purpose room; classroom with desks pushed to one end to create clear space.

Have your students form a group facing you and near to you. Students will face you the whole time in this lesson. Put on some lively music without words so the students are not distracted.

Tell students no matter how they move in little running or walking steps they must stay facing you. Now using your hands motion them to move backwards away from you while saying "move back." Motion your hands to the side and say "move to the side," and when they are at the back or side motion your hands for them to come forward, saying "move forward" or "move to the center."

This gives your students practice with moving backward, forward, sideways, but particularly emphasize the backward movement while facing you.

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Lesson Two

For students who have learned to skip this will be practice in learning to skip backward and in what moving backward means.

Tell students they will be using the skipping step if they can and to stay facing you at all times.

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Put on some lively music without words.

Proceed as in Lesson One with using the hand motions to signify direction while saying "move forward" or "move backward."

When your students get antsy during the day, these are fun lessons to practice! Like a game, but learning the backward concept at the same time.

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Article by Susan Kramer