3.3y–5y12 minMusicActive playSocial play
Mood Moves: Happy, Sad, Cross Music Walk
A 40–60 month music-and-movement activity using different styles of music to create moods and talk about how bodies move when feeling sad, happy or cross, while practising safe travel, turning, and self-control.
What you'll need
Essentials
- music source (phone/speaker) with 3 short contrasting tracks
- a clear space indoors or outdoors
- 4 household markers (cushions/shoes/paper plates) to create a simple loop path
Nice to have
- a scarf/tea towel for ‘sad’ gentle movement
- masking tape to mark a boundary line
- a soft ball for an optional ‘happy’ rolling game
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneUses movement to express feelings.Heart· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Steps 2, 3, 4
- MilestoneNegotiates space while movingBody· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneExperiments with different ways of moving.Body· 3.3y–5y· core· Steps 2, 3, 4
- MilestoneMakes sharp turns while runningBody· 3.3y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneSettles after excitementHeart· 4y–6y· stretch· Step 3
What it practices
- Experiments with different ways of moving.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Negotiates space successfully when playing racing and chasing games with other children, adjusting speed or changing direction to avoid obstacles.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Jumps off an object and lands appropriately.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Use music of different styles and cultures to create moods and talk about how people move when they are sad, happy or cross.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)