My students are movers and shakers, in every sense of the phrase. Walk into any classroom and you’ll see that for yourself, trust me! While this can definitely be a positive thing when it comes time to do some sort of physical activity, it can also be a distraction during structured physical tasks (like carrying a big stack of books!) and other non-physical activities in either a closed or public environment.

I think every child needs a reminder to be “slow and in control” every once in a while, which is why I was so glad when I received a custom-written song request using that very phrase.  The actions that I list in the verses are very general and apply to everyday life at home and school, but feel free to replace them with actions that are specific to your student or child.

In most everything you do,
Take a breath and think it through,
Be slow and in control.
Rushing and hurrying is for the birds,
So remember these four little words,
Slow and in control.

When you’re drawing a picture,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re cutting with scissors,
Be slow and in control.

When you’re carrying something,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re pouring a drink,
Be slow and in control.

When you’re out in public,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re with your friends,
Be slow and in control.

When you’re doing your work,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re cleaning up,
Be slow and in control.

I’m already thinking up different ways to use this song: it could be sung before a task as a way to prepare the child, or even during it, turning the verses into a “slow and controlled” step-by-step guide.  How might you use this song, and what actions would you add with your little ones in mind?

“Crossing the midline” is a term you hear quite often as a parent, and if you are a therapist or teacher, it is often a goal for many of your students or clients. This action refers to any movement that requires one side of the body to cross over the center line of the body.

Kimberly Sena Moore wrote a fantastic post on her blog, Music Therapy Maven, about the importance of crossing the midline and how this skill affects a child’s abilities in many other areas of function.  I highly recommend reading it to learn more about this subject.

As a music therapist, this goal is very common amongst my students, which is why I wrote a song meant to target such movements.  Some of the motor skills included in the song are more difficult than others, but I wanted it to be as comprehensive as possible so that students can work towards successfully achieving all of the movements in the song.

Body cross, apple sauce,
Movin to the beat,
You can do it sittin’ down,
Or up on your feet.
Body cross, apple sauce,
Do as I say,
Move, move your body
This way.

Body cross, apple sauce,
Here we go,
Make your left hand touch
Your right elbow.
Bring your hand across, to
Your other elbow, you see,
Move, move, movin’ your body.

Body cross, apple sauce,
Here we go,
Make your right hand touch
Your left elbow.
Bring your arm across, to
Your other elbow, you see,
Move, move, movin’ your body.

Body cross, apple sauce,
Here we go,
Make your left knee touch
Your right elbow.
Bring your arm across,
So it can touch your other knee,
Move, move, movin’ your body.

Body cross, apple sauce,
Here we go,
Make your right knee touch
Your left elbow.
Bring your arm across,
So it can touch your other knee,
Move, move, movin’ your body.

Body cross, apple sauce,
If you please,
Make your left hand
Give your right shoulder a squeeze.
Bring your arm across, to
Your other shoulder, you see.
Move, move, movin’ your body.

Body cross, apple sauce,
If you please,
Make your right hand
Give your left shoulder a squeeze.
Bring your arm across, to
Your other shoulder, you see.
Move, move, movin’ your body.

Body cross, apple sauce,
Your pardon I beg,
Give a little kick across
With your left leg.
Kick your leg across the other,
To the right, you see,
Move, move, movin’ your body.

Body cross, apple sauce,
Your pardon I beg,
Give a little kick across
With your right leg.
Kick your leg across the other,
To the left, you see,
Move, move, movin’ your body.

Do you have any other strategies for targeting this important skill?  If you can think of any additional “across the midline” movements I’ve left out, please share so that I can add to the song.