Handprints can be used in many crafts. When a child traces his hand, both hands are occupied (one being traced and the other doing the tracing) and the child must remain relatively stationary. Choose a craft for the group that utilizes traced and cut-out handprints. If the craft requires more than one hand print, the group of children will remain rather busy creating their prints before engaging in the craft making. Some crafts that require one or more traced handprints are paper creations of a peacock (see Resources), angel (see Resources), and autumn and Christmas trees (see Resources).
Many songs can be sung in a group setting that require children to use their hands, arms, body, legs and feet to perform motions. When children are using their hands and feet to create these motions, they are busy making sure they are copying the lead singer to make the motions correctly, instead of annoying others with their hands or feet. The song, "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes," keeps children's hands on their own person throughout the song as they touch and identify body parts (see Resources). Other songs requiring hand and/or feet movements are: "Rise and Shine," "Deep and Wide," "The Bunny Hop" and many others. Most action songs are appropriate for elementary-age students and children with mental challenges. Because of the physical nature of the movements, some songs may not be appropriate for children with physical challenges.
Walking like a crab is a group activity encouraging physical fitness and coordination. According to Princeton University, leading child specialists in the field of physical education recommend children receive 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity daily. In addition to the exercise benefits, crab walking focuses a child's hands and feet on the ground. If a child attempts to raise a hand or foot to annoy a peer, the child will fall over. Keeping the group activity organized is the key to avoiding chaos and misbehavior. Host crab races by setting up a starting line and finish line by applying blue painter's tape to the ground in a straight, horizontal line. Create numbered paper squares from index cards and pin the cards to each child for their official race number. The teacher should play the part of the race announcer. The more fun and creativity the teacher puts into the activity, the more engaged the children will be with the crab races.
Balancing something, such as a book, on your head or trying to balance on a balance beam requires concentration and a focus on the fine and gross motor skills. Space children far apart in a gym or outdoors. If the balancing activity includes balancing an object on the head, hand or, for example, a spoon, tape an X on the floor or use chalk to make an X on the ground to identify where each child will stand. Standing on the X is part of the activity and will keep each child in the group in her designated position (far away from other children). For full-body balancing, you'll need a balance beam for each child. Improvise inexpensive balance beams with a 36-inch- to 48-inch-long two-by-four wood board laid on the ground in front of each child. Double-sided industrial-strength tape can be used to adhere the board to hard, flat surfaces for a sturdier environment.