Psychosocial Activities’ Manual for

Child-Friendly Space Volunteers (CFSVs)

Songs, Brain Gym Activities

and Sample Claps

Child Friendly Space Project

Funded by:
Author : Maureen Jane MacPhail (UNICEF)

Co-Authors : Rahib H. Abdullah (CFSI)

Rabia S. Mustapha (CFSI)
Abdul Raffi A. Abas (CFSI)
Rohannie Q. Baraguir (CFSI)

Contributors : May L. Tan (CFSI)

Helen S. Piana (CFSI)
Alizain A. Tahir (CFSI)

Child Friendly Space Project

Funded by : UNICEF
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 1

Compilation of Songs
ACTION SONGS
The listed actions songs below help the Child Friendly Space Volunteers in
facilitating a fun and entertaining psychosocial session. It keeps the session
alive and maintains the high energy of the children throughout. These songs
facilitate the children in using different tone of voice reflecting the song’s
entailed emotion. It allows them to move, groove and dance in line with the
harmony of the song.
2 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

NASAAN SILA? WHERE ARE THEY?

Nasaan si Kuya? Nasaan si Kuya? Where is brother? Where is brother?

Nandito siya, nandito siya, There he is! There he is!
Kumusta ka kuya, Kumusta ka kuya, How are you big brother? How are you big
Akoy malusog, Akoy Malusog, brother!
I am healthy! I am Healthy!
Nasaan si Nanay? Nasaan si Nanay?
Nandito siya, nandito siya, Where is mother? Where is mother?
Kumusta ka nanay, Kumusta ka nanay, There she is! There she is!
Akoy mabait, akoy mabait How are you mother? How are you mother?
I am kind. I am kind.
Nasaan si Tatay?, Nasaan si Tatay?
Nandito siya, nandito siya, Where is father? Where is father?
Kumusta ka tatay, Kumusta ka Tatay, There he is! There he is!
Akoy matangkad, Akoy matangkad How are you father? How are you father?
I am tall! I am tall!
Nasaan si Ate, Nasaan si Ate
Nandito siya, nandito siya, Where is sister? Where is sister?
Kumusta ka Ate, Kumusta ka ate There she is! There she is!
Akoy maganda, Akoy Maganda, How are you sister? How are you sister?
I am pretty! I am pretty!
Nasaan si Bunso? Nasaan si Bunso?
Nandito siya, nandito siya, Where’s the baby? Where’s the baby?
Kumusta ka bunso, Kumusta ka bunso There he is! There he is!
Akoy maliit, Akoy Maliit How are you baby? How are you baby?
I am small! I am small!
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 3

MAGSAMA-SAMA GET TOGETHER

Tayo ay Magsama, magsama, mag sama The more we get together, together – together
Tayo ay mag sama sama The more we get together
magsama tayo The happier we are!

Ang saya saya ng buhay, Life is full of laughter,

kung mayroon kang kasama If we are all together
Tayo ay magsama sama The more we get together
Magsama tayo The happier we are!
4 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

MASAYA! BE HAPPY!

Kung ikaw ay masaya tumawa ka If you’re happy and you know it laugh out loud!
Hahaha Hahaha
Kung ikaw ay masaya tumawa ka If you’re happy and you know it laugh out loud!
Hahaha hahaha
Kung ikaw ay masaya tumawa ka If you’re happy and you know,
Puso mo ay sisigla Feel your heart and let it show
Kung ikaw ay masaya tumawa ka If you’re happy and you know it laugh out loud!
Hahaha hahaha

Kung ikaw ay Masaya Pumalakpak If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands!
Kung ikaw ay Masaya Pumalakpak If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands!
Kung ikaw ay Masaya Pumalakpak If you’re happy and you know,
Puso mo ay sisigla Feel your heart and let it show
Kung ikaw ay Masaya Pumalakpak If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands!

Kung ikaw ay masaya pumadyak ka If you’re happy and you know it stomp your feet!
Kung ikaw ay masaya pumadyak ka If you’re happy and you know it stomp your feet!
Kung ikaw ay masaya pumadyak ka If you’re happy and you know
Puso mo ay sisigla Feel your heart and let it show
Kung ikaw ay masaya pumadyak ka If you’re happy and you know it stomp your feet!
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 5

DITO AY MASAYA! WE’RE HAPPY!

Dito ay masaya We’re happy today, were happy today

Doon ay masaya We’re happy to be with you
Kahit saan ay masaya We’re happy today, were happy today
Dito ay masaya We’re happy to be with you
Doon ay Masaya
Kahit saan ay masaya Everybody stand and dance
Let’s wave our hands up high,
Tayo ay sumayaw Let’s stomp our feet at high
Ikaway ang Kamay, And shout out loud… Haaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!
Ipadyak ang Paa,
At Sumigaw… HaaaaaaaaaahhH!
6 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

MANGGAGAWA COMMUNITY

Ako, ako – ako’y isang manggagawa It’s I, it’s - it’s I who builds community
Ako, ako – ako’y isang manggagawa It’s I, it’s - it’s I who builds community
Ako, ako – ako’y isang manggagawa It’s I, it’s - it’s I who builds community
Ako ay isang manggagawa! It’s I who builds community

Ikaw, ikaw – ikaw ay isang manggagawa It’s you, its’ you – it’s you who build community
Ikaw, ikaw – ikaw ay isang manggagawa It’s you, its’ you – it’s you who build community
Ikaw, ikaw – ikaw ay isang manggagawa It’s you, its’ you – it’s you who build community
Ikaw ay isang manggagawa It’s you who build community

Tayo, tayo – tayo’y mga manggagawa It’s us, it’s us – it’s us who build community
Tayo, tayo – tayo’y mga manggagawa It’s us, it’s us – it’s us who build community
Tayo, tayo – tayo’y mga manggagawa It’s us, it’s us – it’s us who build community
Tayo’y mga manggagawa It’s us who build community

Sumayaw sayaw at Roll over the ocean, Roll over the sea
Um – um – Umindak –indak Roll over the ocean and deep blue sea.
Sumayaw sayaw tulad ng dagat Roll over the ocean, Roll over the sea
Sumayaw sayaw at Roll over the ocean and deep blue sea.
Um – um – Umindak –indak
Sumayaw sayaw tulad ng dagat
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 7

PAGINGI’DAN KAPHAGIG’D
(MAGUINDANAON version of Community Song) (MARANAO Version of Community Song)

Saki, saki P’mbalay sa Paging’dan Sak’n Sak’n Phagugup sa Kaphaging’d

Saki, saki P’mbalay sa Paging’dan Sak’n Sak’n Phagugup sa Kaphaging’d
Saki, saki P’mbalay sa Paging’dan Sak’n Sak’n Phagugup sa Kaphaging’d
Saki P’mbalay sa Paging’dan Sak’n Phagugup sa Kaphaging’d

S’ka, s’ka P’mbalay sa Paging’dan S’ka, s’ka phagugup sa kaphaging’d

S’ka, s’ka P’mbalay sa Paging’dan S’ka, s’ka phagugup sa kaphaging’d
S’ka, s’ka P’mbalay sa Paging’dan S’ka, s’ka phagugup sa kaphaging’d
S’kay P’mbalay sa Paging’dan s’ka phagugup sa kaphaging’d

S’ki tano langon P’mbalay sa Paging’dan S’k tano langon phagugup sa kaphagingi’d
S’ki tano langon P’mbalay sa Paging’dan S’k tano langon phagugup sa kaphagingi’d
S’ki tano langon P’mbalay sa Paging’dan S’k tano langon phagugup sa kaphagingi’d
S’ki tano langon P’mbalay sa Paging’dan S’k tano langon phagugup sa kaphagingi’d

Linumangoy sa Kaludan, Linumangoy sa lagat Sumayaw sayaw at um-um umindak indak

Linumangoy sa kaludan ah madal’m Sumayaw sayaw tulad ng dagat
Linumangoy sa Kaludan, Linumangoy sa lagat Sumayaw sayaw at um-um umindak indak
Linumangoy sa kaludan ah madal’m Sumayaw sayaw tulad ng dagat
8 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

ANG AKING KABAYO MY HORSE

Tayo’y sumakay sa kabayo ko, Come and take a ride in my little horse,
Mabilis tumakbo ang kabayo ko My little horse runs swiftly fast
Katulad nito’y ipo-ipo Like a hurricane it go so fast
Hiiiyaaaah!!!!!! bilisan mo Hiyaaaaahhh!!! Make it fast!
Hiiiiyaaah!!!!!!! bilisan mo Hiyaaaaahhh!!! Move it fast!
Bilisan mo ang takbo Take a ride and move it fast

Takatakatak takatak hiiiyaaaah Takatakatak takatak hiiiyaaaah

Takatakatak takatak hiiiyaaaah Takatakatak takatak hiiiyaaaah
Takatakatak takatak hiiiyaaaah Takatakatak takatak hiiiyaaaah
Bilisan mo ang takbo!!!!!!!!!!! Take a ride and move it fast
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 9

ANG MGA MASIGLANG BAHAGI BE AMAZE WITH ME!

NG AKING KATAWAN
This is my head, be amaze with what I can do!
Ako ay may ulo na aking ginagalaw, I can move it here, and I can move it there!
aking ginagalaw, aking ginagalaw
This is my shoulder, be amaze with what I can
Ako ay may balikat na aking sinasayaw, do!
aking sinasayaw, aking sinasayaw I can shrug like this, and I can shrug like that

Ako ay may baywang na aking kinikembot, This is my hips, be amaze with what I can do!
aking kinikembot, aking kinikembot I can sway it here, and I can sway it there!

Ako ay may tuhod na aking iniikot, This is my knee, be amaze with that I can do!
aking iniikot, aking iniikot I can bend like this, and I can bend like that!

Ako ay may paa na aking pinapadyak, This is my feet, be amaze with what I can do!
aking pinapadyak, aking pinapadyak I can swing it here, and I can swing it there!

Ako ay may ulo, may balikat, may baywang, This is my head, shrugging shoulder, swaying
may tuhod, may paa na aking ginagalaw, hips, bending knee, swinging feet and be amaze
aking ginagalaw, aking ginagalaw, with what they can do.
I can shake like this, and I can shake like that!
Salamat sa Panginoon!!
10 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

AKO SI TAKURI! I AM A LITTLE TEAPOT

Ako si Takuri, I’m a little teapot

Maliit at malaki, Short and stout
Ito ang hawakan at ito ang buhusan Here is my handle
Kung pakuluan, kumukulo kulo Here is my spout
Ihain mo ako at Ibuhos
Ssssshh Sssssssh When I get all steamed up
Hear me shout
“Tip me over
and pour me out!”
SAKI SI K’NDI!
(MAGUINDANAON version of ‘I am a Little Teapot’)
SAK’N SI K’NDI
Saki si Ke’ndi, (MARANAO version of ‘I am a Little Teapot’)
Madido endo masla,
Niya su Kape’tan endo nya is u’mbubuan Sake’n si ke’ndi
Maito ago Mala
Uh pakayawan, Pe’dse’buse’bu Si-i su kapta ago is u phagududan
Awn ako nu endo ibubos. Igira duminidi, Pe’ndidididi
Ssssshh Ssssssh A-on akong kawn
Na ududa kong ka
Sssssshhh Sssssshh
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 11

PUSO AT ISIPAN HEART and HEAD

Bawat bahagi ng katawan ko'y masigla, Every part of my active body is alive
Puso't Isip ko ay Masaya I can feel my heart connected with my head
Oh masaya, Oh I’m alive,
Kay saya saya I felt so alive
Puso't isip ko ay masigla. I can feel my heart connected with my head!

MARTILYO HAMMER

ISA ka martilyo, martilyo martilyo, I’m using hammer one, hammer one, hammer one,
isa ka martilyo na naging DALAWA! I’m using hammer one together with hammer two

I’m using hammer two, hammer two, hammer two,

DALAWA ka martilyo, martilyo martilyo,
I’m using hammer two together with hammer three
dalawa ka martilyo na naging TATLO!
I’m using hammer three, hammer three,
TATLO ka martilyo, martilyo martilyo, hammer three, I’m using hammer three together with
tatlo ka martilyo na naging APAT! hammer four

APAT ka martilyo, martilyo martilyo, I’m using hammer four, hammer four, hammer four,
apat ka martilyo na naging LIMA I’m using hammer four together with hammer five

I’m using hammer five, hammer five, hammer five,

LIMA ka martilyo, martilyo martilyo, I’m using hammer five together with hammer six
lima ka martilyo na naging ANIM
I’m using hammer six, hammer six, hammer six,
ANIM ka martilyo, martilyo martilyo I’m using hammer six and then I’ve got to rest!
anim ka martilyo na biglang nawala!
12 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

SUNDAN NINYO AKO FOLLOW ME!

Mag isip-isip, isa, dalawa, tatlo Come and let’s think, 1-2-3!
Mag isip-isip, isa, dalawa, tatlo Think – think – think , 1-2-3!
Mag isip-isip, isa, dalawa, tatlo Think – think – think , 1-2-3!

At sundan niyo ako, And follow after me!

Sundan, sundan, sundan niyo ako Follow, follow – follow after me!
Sundan, sundan, sundan niyo ako Follow, follow – follow after me!
Sundan, sundan, sundan niyo ako Follow, follow – follow after me!

Ikaw naman dito! You will be the next!

MAG LAKAD! (Mga Bata) MARCHING

Naglalakad ang mga bata The ants go marching one by one hoorah, hoorah
Isa! Isa! The ants go marching one by one hoorah, hoorah
Naglalakad ang mga bata The ants go marching one by one and the little
Isa! Isa! one stop to suck his thumb
Naglalakad ang mga bata
At ang Maliit ay yumuko, And they all go marching down,
At sila ay tumuloy… to the ground.
Maglakad..sa daan To get out of the rain,
Boom Booom booom Booom Booom booom booom booom!

Naglalakad ang mga bata! The ants go marching two by two hoorah, hoorah
Dalawa, dalawa The ants go marching two by two hoorah, hoorah
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 13

Naglalakad ang mga bata The ants go marching two by two and the little
Dalawa! Dalawa! one stop to tied his shoe
Naglalakad ang mga bata
At ang Matangkad ay lumukso, The ants go marching three by three hoorah,
At sila ay tumuloy… hoorah
Maglakad..sa daan The ants go marching three by three hoorah,
Boom Booom booom Booom hoorah
The ants go marching three by three and the
Naglalakad ang mga bata little one stop to climb the tree
Tatlo! Tatlo!
Naglalakad ang mga bata The ants go marching four by four hoorah,
Tatlo! Tatlo! hoorah
Naglalakad ang mga bata The ants go marching four by four hoorah,
At ang Malusog ay sumigaw, hoorah
Haaaaaaaah!!!!!!!! The ants go marching four by four and the little
At sila ay tumuloy… one stop to climb the tree to shut the door
Maglakad..sa daan
Boom Booom booom Booom The ants go marching five by five hoorah, hoorah
The ants go marching five by five hoorah, hoorah
The ants go marching five by five and the little
one stop to climb the tree to go to the hide
14 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

BAHAGI NG AKING KATAWAN THE PARTS OF MY BODY

Ulo at Tainga My head and my ears

Balikat na maganda With my beautiful shoulder
Baywang na kumikembot My waist is swaying gracefully
Tuhod dalawang paa Along with my knee and feet

HANAP NG PARTNER FINDING A NEW FRIEND!

1 X 1 Hawak sa Baywang 1 x 1 Lay your hands on hips

2 X 2 Hawak sa Ulo 2 x 2 Lay your hands on head
3 X 3 Hawak sa Pisngi 3 x 3 Lay your hands on face
4 X 4 Hanap nang Partner 4 x 4 Hold on to new friend!

MAGSAYA TAYO! LET’S BE HAPPY!

Kumusta Ka? How do you feel?

Halina’t magsaya! Let’s move and do have fun!
Ipalakpak ang kamay at ituro ang Paa Clap your hands, Clap it twice and
Point your feet
Padyak sa kanan, Padyak sa kaliwa, Stomp to the left, stomp to the right
Umikot ka, Umikot ka Turn around, turn around
Humanap ng iba. Find another friend!
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 15

ULAN RAIN

Kung ang ulan ay katas ng mga prutas If all the raindrops is as sweet as yummy fruit
Oh kay sarap ng ulan juice
Akoy Lalabas at akoy nga-nga-nga- Oh! How sweet has it taste
Aaaaah Aaaaah Aaaah Aaaaah I’ll walk in the rain and let my mouth be open
Oh kay sarap ng ulan Aaaaahhh Aaaaahh Aaaaah Aaaaah
Oh, how sweet is the rain
Kung ang ulan ay kasing lamig ng Ice Cream
Oh Kay lamig ng ulan If all the raindrops is as cold as mango Ice cream
Akoy lalabas at akoy manginginig Oh, how cold the raindrop felt!
Iiiiiiih Iiiiiiih Iiiiiih Iiiiiiiiih I’ll walk in the rain and let my skin felt the
Oh Kay lamig ng ulan coolness
Iiiiiiiiiih iiiiiiihh iiiiiiih iiiiiiiiihh
Kung ang ulan ay kasing bango ng bulaklak Oh, how cold is the rain
Oh kay bango ng ulan
Akoy lalabas at aking aamuyin If all the raindrops has a scent of flower
Ooooooh Ooooohhh Oooooohhh Oooooooh Oh, how good is the smell
Oh kay bango ng ulan I’ll walk in the rain and let my nose smell the
fragrance
Kung ang ulan ay kasing ingay ng pusa Oooooohh Ooooohh Oooooohh
Oh kay ingay ng Ulan Oh, how good is the smell
Akoy lalabas at akoy makikinig
Ngiyaaaaw Ngiyaaaaw Ngiyaaaaaw If all the raindrops is as noise as the sound of cat
Oh kay ingay ng ulan Oh, how noisy has it sound
I’ll walk in the rain and hear how it sounds
Ngiyaaaaw Ngiyaaaaw Ngiyaaaaaw
Oh, how noisy has it sounds
16 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

MAG – INGAT KA BE CAREFUL

Mag-ingat ka mata sa iyong titingnan Little eyes, be careful what you see
Mag-ingat ka mata sa iyong titingnan Little eyes, be careful what you see
Dahil si Allah na lumikha, For ALLAH up above is looking down with love
Nakamasid sa’ting gawa Little eyes, be careful what you see
Mag-ingat ka mata sa iyong titingnan
Little nose, be careful what you smell
Mag-ingat ka ilong sa iyong aamoyin Little nose, be careful what you smell
Mag-ingat ka ilong sa iyong aamoyin For ALLAH up above is looking down with love
Dahil si Allah na lumikha, Little nose, be careful what you smell
Nakamasid sa’ting gawa
Mag-ingat ka ilong sa iyong aamoyin Little ears, be careful what you hear
Little ears, be careful what you hear
Mag-ingat ka tainga sa iyong pakikinggan For ALLAH up above is looking down with love
Mag-ingat ka tainga sa iyong pakikinggan Little ears, be careful what you hear
Dahil si Allah na lumikha,
Nakamasid sa’ting gawa Little mouth be careful what you say
Mag-ingat ka tainga sa iyong pakikinggan Little mouth be careful what you say
For ALLAH up above is looking down with love
Mag-ingat ka bibig sa iyong bibigkasin Little mouth be careful what you say
Mag-ingat ka bibig sa iyong bibigkasin
Dahil si Allah na lumikha, Little hands be careful what you hold
Nakamasid sa’ting gawa Little hands be careful what you hold
Mag-ingat ka bibig sa iyong bibigkasin For ALLAH up above is looking down with love
Little hands be careful what you hold
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 17

Mag-ingat ka kamay sa iyong hahawakan Little feet be careful where you go

Mag-ingat ka kamay sa iyong hahawakan Little feet be careful where you go
Dahil si Allah na lumikha, For ALLAH up above is looking down with love
Nakamasid sa’ting gawa Little feet be careful where you go
Mag-ingat ka kamay sa iyong hahawakan

Mag-ingat ka paa sa iyong pupuntahan

Mag-ingat ka paa sa iyong pupuntahan
Dahil si Allah na lumikha,
Nakamasid sa’ting gawa
Mag-ingat ka paa sa iyong pupuntahan
18 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

LO – LA – LEY LO – LA – LEY

Ituro ang kamay, Put your right hand in,

ang kaliwang kamay Put your right hand out
Ituro ang kamay Put your right hand in,
Malayang igalaw galaw and shake it all around

At Sumayaw sayaw ka, And do a little dancing

Umikot iko’t ka pa, and turn around
Halina at Magsaya! So let us all be glad

Lo la lo la lo la lo la lo la ley, Lo la lo la lo la lo la lo la ley,
Lo la lo la lo la lola lo la lo la ley Lo la lo la lo la lola lo la lo la ley

Ituro ang kamay, Put your right hand in,

Ang kanang kamay Put your right hand out
Ituro ang kamay, Put your right hand in,
Malayang igalaw galaw and shake it all around

At Sumayaw sayaw ka, And do a little dancing

Umikot iko’t ka pa, and turn around
Halina at Magsaya! So let us all be glad

Lo la lo la lo la lo la lo la ley, Lo la lo la lo la lo la lo la ley,
Lo la lo la lo la lola lo la lo la ley Lo la lo la lo la lola lo la lo la ley

Kaliwang Kamay Left hand

Kanang Paa Right foot
Kaliwang Paa Left foot
Buong Katawan Whole Body
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 19

Brain Gym Activities

Brain Gym consists of simple and pleasant movements aiming at improving
learning skills through the use of both brain hemispheres. This gymnastic
was invented by American researchers, Paul E. Dennison, Ph.D., and Gail E.
Dennison.

Brain Gym is based on three simple principles:

• Learning is a pleasant and natural activity which goes on throughout our
whole lives
• Learning blocks are caused by the student/learner’s incapacity of coping
with anxiety and stress derived by a task which is perceived as “too
difficult”
• We are all more or less blocked as far as learning is concerned since we
have all learned not to move.
20 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

Type of Exercise: LATERALIZATION

General Objective:
It concerns the way the left and right
hemispheres interact. The left hemisphere is
specialized in sequential logical operations
(language and logics), while the right one allows
us a holistic global vision of reality (music and
spatiality).

Exercise No. 1: Cross Crawls

Instructions and Exercise Info:

Students/Learners alternately move their arms
towards the opposite leg and then vice versa.
Since each limb is governed by the hemisphere
of the opposite side, this exercise facilitates
connection between the two hemispheres.

 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 21

Exercise No. 2: Lazy Eight’s

Instructions and Exercise Info:

The activity consists in drawing horizontal eight's
in the air with your hands. It activates brain and
improves:
• Eye-muscles coordination
• Connection between hemispheres
• Bi-ocular and peripheral vision
• Reading speed (For older children)
22 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

Exercise No. 3: Double Doodle

Instructions and Exercise Info:

This is a bilateral drawing activity which consists
in sketching two images with both hands.
It improves these learning skills (For older
children):
• understanding of writing symbols
• spelling accurateness
• Math calculations.
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 23

Exercise No. 4: The Elephant

Instructions and Exercise Info:

This movement activates the inner ear for
improved balance and so integrates the brain for
listening with both ears. It improves:
• listening comprehension and attention
• short- and long-term memory
• thinking ability
24 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

Type of Exercise: FOCALIZATION

General Objective:
Focalization exercises help students/learners to
develop and reinforce those neural paths which
link what they already know (which lays in the
back of their brain) with the ability to process
and express the information (frontal lobes).

Exercise No. 1: The Owl

Instructions and Exercise Info:

The owl's movements improve visual and
auditory skills and also head rotation. They
lessen the neck tension which develops in
distressing conditions. The owl lengthens neck
and shoulders' muscles while reestablishing width
of movement and facilitating the blood flow to
the brain. It enhances:
• Attention and memory.
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 25

Exercise No. 2: The Active Arm

Instructions and Exercise Info:

The active arm lengthens muscles in the upper
part of chest and shoulders. When these muscles
are contracted writing and tool controlling skills
are inhibited. It activates the brain for:
• Expressive reading (For older children)
• Diaphragm relaxation and deep breathing
• Hand-eye coordination and tool
controlling skills.
26 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

Exercise No. 3: The Gravitational Glider

Instructions and Exercise Info:

The movement uses balance and gravity in order
to lessen tension in the hips and pelvic area
thus allowing student/learner to discover more
comfortable postures when sitting or standing
up. It betters:
• Reading comprehension
• Mental Math calculations
• Abstract thinking
(For older children)
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 27

Exercise No. 4: The Rocker

Instructions and Exercise Info:

The rocker massages the hamstring and gluteus
muscle groups (the bottom, in other words...).
It can be very pleasant after hours of spending
sitting in the classroom. It also stimulates the
circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid into the
spinal column and activate the brain for:
• study skills (older children)
• left-to-right visual skills
• attention and comprehension.
28 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

Type of Exercise: CENTRALIZATION

General Objective:
These are mostly relaxation exercises which help
to reestablish the neural networks between brain
and body and, this way, facilitating the passage
of electromagnetic flow through the body.
These activities help the chemical and electrical
processes which take place during mental and
physical efforts.

Exercise No. 1: Brain Buttons

Instructions and Exercise Info:

One hand massages two spots below the
clavicle while the other rests on the navel. The
movements stimulate the carotid artery and this
way enhances the blood flow to the brain. It
activates the brain for:
• Reading skills
• Memorization
(Older children)
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 29

Exercise No. 2: Earth Buttons

Instructions and Exercise Info:

One hand fingers rest on the lower lip while the
others stay on the pubic bone. While having the
sensation of a better connection between the
upper and lower parts of the body, the students/
learners feel more stable and centered. It
improves:
• Reading skills (for older children)
30 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

Exercise No. 3: Balance Buttons

Instructions and Exercise Info:

These buttons reestablish balance in every
dimension: left-right, above-under, behind-
before. The student/learner massages the spot
where the skull is attached to the neck and, at
the same time, the navel. It improves the next
learning skills (for older children):
• Critical and decisional capacities
• Spelling accurateness
• Math calculations
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 31

Exercise No. 4: Space Buttons

Instructions and Exercise Info:

One hand rests on the upper lip while the other
lays on the back-bone. It activates the brain for:
• Relaxation and concentration
• Eye-contact in communication with
people

It improves these learning skills:

• Focusing during a test
• Reading
• Motivation and interest
32 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

Exercise No. 5: The Thinking Cap

Instructions and Exercise Info:

This activity helps the student/learner to focus
attention on hearing. It also lessens tension
in skull bones. The student gently pulls ears
backwards and unrolls them with fingers. They
start from the top of the ear, massage them
delicately and end on the lobe. It activates brain
for:
• Hearing one's voice
• Short-term memory
• Inner dialogue and thinking
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 33

Exercise No. 6: Hook-ups

Instructions and Exercise Info:

The exercise can be done while standing, sitting
or lying down. Students/learners cross the left
ankle on the right one. Then they intertwine
fingers and bring them near the chest. They
close their eyes, breathe deeply for a few
minutes and relax. Then students’ free hands and
legs and finger tips touch gently while they keep
on breathing deeply. Hook-ups help:
• mind and body relaxation
34 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

Exercise No. 7: The Energetic Yawn

Instructions and Exercise Info:

Don't get angry at your students/learners if they
yawn during sessions/classes! Not now that
you know that scientific research has proved
yawning to be a perfect exercise which brings
oxygen to the brain and so enhances learning
performances!
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 35

Sample Claps
36 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

1 2

Fireworks
Clap

3 4 5
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 37

1 2

Angel
Clap

3 4 5
38 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

1 2

Rain
Clap

3 4 5
 SONGS, BRAIN GYM ACTIVITES, SAMPLE CLAPS 39

1 2 3

Banana
Clap

4 5 6 7
40 PSYCHOSOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES

Durian Clap
1 2 3