Song of the Month
Every month the song/dance/activity will change. Many of the songs will be from my Recordings. Please print the page and do the activity with your child. Teachers may print the page to use with their classes. If you have questions, Contact Me.
January 2010
The Freeze
(also known as "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow"
by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne!)
Hear it on Dancing Feet, or hear it here:
You don't have to live up North to have a blast with this activity song! The music can be used as a straightforward Freeze Dance. I've found that most 3 - 5 year olds know what that is. If your children do not know what that means, please teach them step by step so that they are clear about when to stop and start. I use "The Freeze" for my SNOWBALL FREEZE FIGHT! Many years ago I created this activity for a group of 4 and 5 year old boys who were having difficulty with self-control. Now this issue isn't just a "boy" thing – everyone can use help learning to listen, and stop. The SFF was a hit from the first throw, and over the years I've used it for everything from 2 year olds, to teens, to family sing alongs, to a prison population! It never fails! You can see from the pictures how much fun it is!
Note to pacificists: it's not about "fighting" – if the words Snowball Fight make you uncomfortable, call it a Snowball Throw or Toss. It's done with smiles and laughter no matter what you call it!
| Lyrics: | THERE ARE NONE!!!! If you don't have my cd, you can make your own stop/start music by recording onto a cassette tape, putting the 5-second pauses in as you go. BUT, it is better NOT to stand by your boombox and turn the music off and on. WHY? Because it quickly becomes a Visual game – with children watching you to see when you're pushing the button, instead of an Auditory game – listening for the music to stop, and Kinesthetic game – stopping when you hear the music stop! |
| Movements: | You need approximately 1-2 mesh puffs per participant, and make a tape of lively music with pauses built in about every 10 - 15 seconds. I use my recording of "Let It Snow" – titled "The Freeze" with the pauses already there. A freeze dance will work, and instrumentals are even better. Practice "freezing" before putting on music. First, while sitting on the floor, everyone waves their hands in the air quickly while you say, Hands in the air, hands in the air, hands in the air, FREEZE!" Repeat this. If the children look like they get it, give them the rules. |
TWO RULES:
- You may not deliberately throw ANYTHING, even a pretend snowball, at someone's face – it might surprise them or knock off glasses.
- You may only hold 1 snowball at a time. If you hold more (demonstrate) – you are a Snowball Piggy!
Then put the music on and let'er rip! About 2 minutes of music is plenty! Be sure you and any available adults participate, too! It's a blast!
Props: What do I use for snowballs? Those white louffa's/mesh puffs that make lousy sponges but great snowballs. If you can't find them in the dollar stores, check with parents – lots of people have them stashed away in drawers because they're lousy sponges, but they come with many beauty products! If you can't find them, email me and I'll give you some online sources for bulk purchases, carole@macaronisoup.com. You will need approximately 2 per participant to get started (12 children, 24 puffs).
Age Range: ALL AGES, with the exception of infants!
Purpose: FUN! Oh, and self-control, spatial awareness, group dynamic, gross motor exercise, and FUN!
NOTE TO CONFERENCE PRESENTERS USING THIS ACTIVITY: Please credit me as the "author" of the Snowball Freeze Fight – it's my best known original activity! Please direct conferees to this page/website – and have a blast with it!
