If You're Happy and You Know It
"If You're Happy and You Know It"
Objective: To help children recognize and express emotions through movement while also building body awareness and practice following directions.
Directions: Sing the song and utilize the Modification Chart below.
Song:
"If you're happy and you know it .........."
"If you're happy and you know it .........."
"If you're happy and you know it and you really want to show it,"
"If you're happy and you know it .........."
Modification Chart
| Level | Modification | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 🟡 0-1 year old | Caregiver sings and performs simple actions (clap, stomp) while holding or sitting with the baby. | Listening & Attention, Cause-and-Effect |
| 🟣 1-2 year old | Encourage children to imitate simple actions, with the leader singing the song slowly and repeatedly (wave bye-bye, clap your hands). | Early Memory, Listening & Attention |
| 🟢 2-3 year old | Add in exercises (clap 3 times, stomp your feet, do a dance, squat down low). | Memory, Rhythm & Timing |
| 🟠 3-4 year old | Add challenging exercises (run in place, jump up and down). | Spatial Awareness, Motor Planning |
| 🔴 4-5 year old | Add more challenging exercises (Gallop in place, skip around). Adjust the speed of the song from slow to fast. | Quick Movements, Motor Planning |