I need help on finding new stretch ideas for my 2-4 year old classes Its really hard keeping them occupied and enjoying on what we are doing in the class. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Some of the stretching games I play with my CM students are:

Butterflies: I have students tell me what color butterfly they are as they're sitting with soles of feet together. We flap our "bottom wings" (legs) up and down, then our "top wings" (arms), then both together.

Pizza: Students sit with legs in 2nd (NOT forcing into splits). Space from leg to leg is the "pizza." We make the pizza by putting different things on the pizza, by stretching from the center out to the edges of the feet and toward the middle with different types of movements. We roll out the dough (pushing movement), spread the sauce (swishy movements), sprinkle the cheese (concentrate on fingertips) and put "toppings" on - let kids pick their favorites. Then we put our pizza in the oven (stretch center). When we "eat" the pizza, we stretch to one side, take a "bite" (usually near the knee) and move that leg in little. We repeat the "eating" alternating sides until the legs are straight forward. It's more complicated to type than it is to do

adridancer

*the only sin is mediocrity*~MG

Here is an earlier response I posted with regard to: "What to do with little ones" An earlier poster had strongly suggested keeping with a "routine" with the wee ones, and I had seconded that. I then continued:

I always ask the dancers to wait until I have "invited" them into the studio and the very first place I ask them to go is to "sit by the music". I grab the attendance book and call out everyone's name. I even ask that the say "present" instead of "here" because it is more "polite". Then we do a quick check of the whiskers (the bows on their shoes, I like them tucked inside.) Do a very quick "catch up" on everyone's life..."I have a new brother", "I fell down and hurt my knee", etc. I keep my comments to the barest minimum and only do this part if one of the little darlings just can't seem to keep the "news" inside!

Then it's off to the center for a holding hands circle. Calm walks in one direction, change direction, gently go "into the center", NO SQUISHING, gently "go away from the center" NO PULLING (This is all still connected by holding hands.) Then we gently let go and take a backward step, backward step, backward step. Then depending on their ages, begin varies center stretches. Old ones (4's & 5's) get first position plie, simple port de bras and eleve. Second if they are still "with me", then tickle the ceiling and melt to the floor. Gentle floor stretches, trying to create stories and games to go along with each stretch. We scoop up "super glue" to spread on our legs to keep them straight, flex and point toes becomes: Wake up toes (flex) and sleepy toes (point), etc. After floor stretches, then get them exploring the space with different kinds of movement qualities - floating like clouds, etc.

Then it's drum time, a hand held drum that only the teaches beats, slow steps are giant steps, medium beats are the walking steps and the fast beats are the running steps. Oh, and all the steps are quiet steps because we don't want to wake up the "mouse" that is "sleeping" under the floor (hehe!)
Off to a couple of silly songs, "monkeys jumping on the bed" or a bean bag song.

A quick toss on of the dress up tutus and back to the center for a brief "free dance" (improvisation) and back to a holding hand circle, make the circle big, let go hands, sit down. Do a hand clapping rhythm game to the music. Then take turns going one at a time galloping, (or what ever movement you want) around the outside of the circle.

Take the dress up off, line up for "puddle jumps" (a rubber mat the I found at wal-mart). These are done one at a time, and with the drum.

Back to the circle for our curtsey and you are done!

Lot's of Luck - I love the little ones!