So the idea of teaching movement right now seems so bizarre.

We can’t touch each other or get close so what are the things we can adapt?

Here’s a huge list of movement ideas for COVID teaching whether your kids are at home or in person but socially distanced.

Folk Dancing

I know. What?

There are some great folk dances that can be adapted for one person. Dances that work for adapting include:

• A partner that they walk around.
• No sashaying in long ways set.
• Circle formations
• Single line formations
• No split the banana/strip the willow/cast off situation
• Focus on footwork

Folk Dances To Adapt For Movement In COVID Teaching

La Raspa: Your partner is your chair

7 Jumps: Go around your chair

Kolos
I’m part Croatian and learned a lot of Kolos for performance and for post-performance parties growing up. The best part of adapting these is that they are line dances that focus on footwork.

Usually, a line of people holding hands snake across a dance floor or wherever they may desire (sometimes through tables) and all do the same footwork.

Ends usually put their hands behind their backs (although variations exist depending on where you live.

Detroit Croatians are a bit different from Pittsburgh Croatians where there are a lot more and Duquesne University is located.

*They have an internationally known folk ensemble called the Tamburitzans that tours while featuring Eastern European dance and music. Definitely check them out if you’ve never heard of them.

It’s a treasure trove! Incidentally, the hora (Balkans), kolo (former Yugoslavian areas), and horo (Bulgarian) dances are related but varied across the area. Just like the variations in dances between Detroit and Pittsburgh (and other Croatian folk ensembles I’ve encountered).

Anyway. This kolo is a favorite of mine and easily adaptable and the kids will love the slow fast element! It’s called Ersko Kolo and it’s from Serbia.

It is also a children’s dance so it’s great for kids. Download a free PDF with the steps and links for music here. There are two variations of the dance included.

Also, if you’re interested, this YouTube video shows you the music. Definitely applicable in other places besides dancing!

One more, the Kalamatiano which is a Greek dance.

If your kids really need or want a partner to dance with, suggest a favorite toy or stuffed animal.

General Dances During COVID Teaching

What about all those “wedding dances” that kids might need to know for social occasions. Those are just as important because the social aspect of dancing is an important part of dancing.

So why not incorporate those into your class. Dances here include:

• Chicken Dance
• HokeyPokey
• Thriller
• Cupid Shuffle
• Electric Slide
• Old dance moves (lawnmower, mashed potato)
• Tik Tok Dances 
• The Hora – While the “hora” does not specifically refer to the dance done at Jewish weddings, it is best known for this. The dance itself is from the Balkans and there are variations on it. However, as it is, most people know it as the dance done at Jewish weddings (sometimes spelled Horah) which is why I’ve included it in the list for “wedding dances”.
• Boot scoot and Boogie
• Bunny Hop
• YMCA
• Macarena

Creative Movement During COVID Teaching

Here are some easy ways to let kids move:

• Move like a…cat, elephant, snake, butterfly, sneaky cat, happy puppy, tired puppy, caterpillar, etc..
• Mirror a partner – this could be SO fun on an online class meeting!
• Trace the path of a vocal exploration with your feet while you sing it (or after). Give your vocal exploration collection double duty work and have kids do it with their feet or their arm or a scarf. Check out this blog post on Vocal Explorations for more ideas.
• Locomotor movements through jello or marshmallows.
• Carry a bubble – play with it/toss & catch/point as it falls, roll it down your shoulder, etc.
• Glue dancing – one hand or foot is glued to something and the rest of you can move. (Also fun with a partner, but not right now!)
• Paper plate skating/dancing
• Scarves! While the kids might not have one at home, they can use anything – a string, ribbon, a bandana, an old shirt, or towel. Most kids will have something as a substitute.

Body Percussion During COVID Times

This is one of the things everyone loves but I still feel like it’s underutilized.

• Add to songs
• Create your own
• Compositions by layering ostinati
• Check out this Kodaly Body Percussion by my friend, Zach
• Several play alongs on YouTube
  • Dance Monkey
  • Pink Panther
  • High Hopes
  • The Addams Family
  • Uptown Funk
  • We Will Rock You
  • Rondo alla Turca
  • This channel is full of them! 

The Johns

The two dudes I think of when I think of movement videos for kids are John & John – Feierabend and Jacboson that is. 

The Feierabend Move It’s are great and easy to do but are not available online. However, creating one to a piece of music would be fairly simple and fun. The kids can easily apply movements they know to make their own.

As far as John Jacobson, he has bunches of videos available thanks to YouTube. Check out these two channels for lots of dance ideas!

• https://www.youtube.com/user/JhnJacobson
• https://www.youtube.com/user/musicexpressmag

Other Movement Ideas Kids Love

Jump Rope Rhymes – if you can’t jump, teach the rhyme with a beat pattern for jumping. Have them try it later (with or without the rope).

Silly Songs: These are great for plain old getting wiggles out! Some favorites are:

• My Name is Joe and I Work in a Button Factory
• My Aunt Came Back
• Head Shoulders Knees & Toes
• Mother Goonie Bird
• Father Abraham (same tune as Mother Goonie Bird)
• Shake My Sillies Out
• Tony Chestnut
• Baby Shark

Locomotor Movement – pick an action verb and move to a song such as march, stomp, twirl, jump, hop, skip, slide, shuffle, moonwalk, or any movement that has forward/backward motion.

Non-locomotor movement – pick an action that has no forward/backward motion such as bend, twirl, stretch, rock, sway, pull, push, float, etc.

Check Out:

These cards are great for movement with scarves or ribbons. There are two different sets included: projectable and black & white printable with both shapes and words to help your kids create with scarves, ribbon, T-shirts, etc. 

Check them out here.

I hope this has been helpful and given you some great movement ideas for COVID teaching that can be done right now with your kids.

You may also enjoy these lessons for COVID teaching in music.