Figure Of 8

*from STONES HILL SONGS*

🎶 This very simple, repetitive song has a flow to it (the 6/8 meter)

to match the figure-of-8 drawing in the air. It's a way to get children doing this particular move, inscribing a racetrack like an eight ON ITS SIDE with the crossing point of the 8 just in front of the body. It can be done with each hand separately (or as the song suggests, fingers, forearm - this adds the element of isolating body parts), or with both together if possible. You can also try it with your nose for fun, or a foot - why not? The figure-of-8 can be drawn small or large - most important is to try and keep the crossing-point in the midline of the body.

This is considered to be a deeply integrating movement as it involves crossing the midline of the body, engaging sense of laterality, co-ordination between left/right, and spatial awareness. The integration happens as the 2 hemispheres of the brain work together on both sides of the body. It is a move that is part of the Brain Gym program used by many educators and is also used therapeutically to treat with people with neural conditions.

Some children may struggle to process this initially, but with time and practice it comes. It is common to find that adults with head injuries or strokes will find this move tricky. When it's going, try tracking the hand moves with the eyes, but watch out for dizziness: if this is a problem, keep the eyes focused more or less on the middle crossing point.

This particular song also encourages the quality of flowing mobility in movement, a perpetual motion that finds its own natural rhythm. The song provides a framework for this, and children will feel a sense of accomplishment as they master the co-ordination of this activity. Once on the (race)track, their bodies will learn how to move with ease, grace and flow through this move. Having a song makes it easier to do with a whole class of children at once, either sitting or standing.

It may not be rocket science, but these seemingly simple activities are where essential connections are made in growing bodies. The only way to build these healthy connections is through movement (and touch - but that is another subject). Our bodies are first and foremost designed to MOVE.

As with all the Stones Hill songs, this can be sung unaccompanied - your own voice is always good enough. The funny instrument introducing the recording is a nose flute - I find it a handy snazzy tool for crowd control: its ear-catching high pitch snaps attention when needed.

CONNECT - song and dance for children

Friday, March 15, 2019

Figure Of 8

No comments:

Post a Comment