Singing Games Activity Book - Concentration

The Singing Games Activity Book offers a fun and interactive way to help children improve their concentration and rhythmic skills. One of the activities featured is the 'Concentration' game, which involves children sitting in a circle and performing a sequence of actions to the beat of a chant. These actions include tapping their knees, clapping their hands, and clicking fingers to the right and left. The objective is to maintain a continuous pulse throughout the song. As the game progresses, each child takes turns chanting their own name and then another's in time with their clicks, with the challenge being to avoid hesitation or mistakes. Those who falter risk being eliminated from the game, and as proficiency increases, even a slight loss of rhythm can result in a child being 'out'.

Additionally, the 'Concentration' game can be adapted into ball games, which are outlined in the Singing Games Key Stage 2 lesson plans. In the first ball game version, children stand in a circle with one child in the middle, who bounces a ball to each child in sequence while chanting. The group joins in by chanting the name of the child receiving the ball. If a child drops the ball, they take the central position to lead the game. The second version introduces an element of unpredictability, with the child in the middle bouncing the ball to randomly chosen children while the rest of the group chants the leader's name. These games continue until a mistake is made or the teacher decides to rotate the leader, providing an engaging way for children to develop their coordination and focus.