By inventing and copying silly walks, children explore physical storytelling in a fun, low-pressure way.
1. Introduce the School of Silly Walks
Ask the children to line up at one side of the room.
Explain, with great seriousness, that you have spent the last few weeks training at a very prestigious and extremely serious school: the School of Silly Walks.
Emphasise how hard the lessons were and how long it took to master the skills.
2. Demonstrate
Tell the children that because they are so clever, you think they will be able to pass Level 1.
Demonstrate a silly walk and cross the room.
Ask the children to copy you and cross the room using the same walk.
React with amazement at how quickly they succeed, telling them it took you hours and hours to learn and they have done it in seconds.
3. Up the ante
Explain that Level 2 is much trickier.
Tell the children that this time, they must create their own silly walk and give it a name.
Demonstrate the walk you used to pass your course and show how it was named.
4. Encourage the children to have a turn
Invite volunteers to show their silly walk to the group.
Each volunteer crosses the room using their walk, says their name, and the rest of the group copies it.
Continue until several children have had a turn.
This game works particularly well as a confidence-building warm-up or for a release of energy!
Lucy Quick, Principal of Perform.
