Can anyone give me some advice on how to teach tempo to Creative Movement classes? Or tell me if I'm just trying to implement something that they aren't ready to learn?

I have spent a lot of time trying to show them that the music speeds up and slows down and their movements should match that, but frankly nobody listens. They all want to go fast all the time! LOL.

If any of you have had a good experience with some kind of game or technique, I would love to hear it.

Thanks!
anaab

It might be a bit early for some of them, most 3 and 4 year olds are still coming to terms with having to share their dancing space with the other children.

I do a section with clapping in each preschool class but it's more of a be aware and keep watching the teacher sort of a deal. I just tell them to watch me and follow me, I start with 8 claps at arms length in front of me then move to over my head or down to the floor or behind my head and muddle it up each week so that they have to follow me.

In my 5 and 6 year old classes I sit them in a circle and we do a rhythm section, 4 claps, one for each count and hold for 4 counts and I also do one were each child claps for 4 on their own and then the next one starts without leaving a break, so they keep with the music. Some of them get it, some of them are totally clueless, it really does depend on the child.

Thanks, this is very helpful!

I use animals. The funny monkey, the slow and heavy elephant, the elegant giraf, the running rabbit, etc.

And I have a story in the forest, with witches (fast but silent), hunters (slow and carefully), a fairy (fast and pretty), a gnome (slow and clumsy).
Each person has it's own music, and I just let them all come and go as I want, kids ARE the witches, the hunters, the fairies, etc. and have to act/dance like that.

To build on from the clapping exercise, I don't think they're too young to introduce a rhythm pattern. Clap 2 slow, then 3 quick and repeat. Get them to say the workds "slow, slow, quick quick quick. Once they get the hang of it, you can replace the claps with movement, for example walks. All of my 3 & 4 year olds can do the clapping on their own now, some of the 3 year olds still struggle with the walks though. I believe persistance is the key though, don't give up if they don't get it straight away, if you keep at it they will begin to understand

Re: clapping slow-slow-quick-quick-quick -- I do a related exercise with 5's. When we paint circles with our toes at barre (rond de jambe prep), each of us selects two different colors of paint, and we keep it a secret. After we finish barre, I have them tell me their colors, one by one, sitting in a circle. The idea is to clap out the rhythm as they say: (1&) I, (2&) CHOSE, (3&4) BLUE AND WHITE. We try to get around the circle without breaking our rhythm.

I understand what you are saying about littles just going fast whenever they hear any music. Sometimes I've chosen a slow piece, such as an adagio, or lullabye or etc., and to me it's soft and flowing. But they hear the left hand of the pianist. So if that is very busy, or if it gets loud, that's what they key into. If I can find simpler arrangements they start to get the idea. More than counting the music, I want them to begin to hear and FEEL fast and slow, happy and sad, loud and soft. I get to counting later, and I find it is much easier (for most...) if the kids have had lots of exposure to music before they get to the counting.