Hi everyone. I'm Evie. Are you ready to boost your mood?
Music makes me feel happy so shall we make some music together?
But instead of instruments, let's use our bodies as our very own percussion instrument.
Sometimes I can feel a bit yucky or I just don't feel right so I try to do something that will make me feel a bit more chilled and okay.
So I'll show you a four beat rhythm and you can copy me.
Ready? Let's give it a try.
The first is the stomp.
So we're going to stomp - two, three, four.
One, two, three, four. Very good.
Now we have the pat which is where we slap our thighs to make a sound.
So we're going to pat - two, three four. One, two, three, four.
Next is a clap. Ready? Clap, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four.
Then it's a click. Click two, three, four.
One, two, three, four.
Now the last one is a bit tricky. So if you want to change it, you can do a two finger clap, like this.
Tap, two, three, four, one, two, three, four.
Brilliant percussion work. I think we're ready to add some music to our beats.
Okay.
Stomp, two, three, four. One, two, three, four
Pat, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four.
Clap, two, three, four. One, two, three, four.
Click, two, three, four.
Tap, two, three, four.
Now, let's speed it up.
Here we go, stomp, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four.
Pat, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four.
Clap, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four.
Click, two, three, four.
Tap, two, three, four.
Okay. Now you've mastered the moves - let's add some words.
If you feel yucky or a bit blue there's some things that can boost your mood.
Fun with friends, feel that joy - move your body and make some noise.
If you feel yucky or a bit blue, there's some things that could be boost your mood.
Fun with friends, feel that joy - move your body and make some noise.
Yes. Well done.
Okay. Now let's come up with our own combinations of body percussion.
You could do stomp, stomp, clap, clap, click, click - make up your own rhythms. Freestyle it.
Well done everyone. Nice!
We're gonna do it again. Are you ready?
If you feel yucky or a bit blue, there's some things that can boost your mood.
Fun with friends, feel that joy.
Move your body and make some noise!
Oh, well done everyone.
Making music together was fun.
I was feeling a bit yucky before we began but now I feel awesome.
So let's say it together. I feel awesome!
Say it with me. I feel awesome!
Thanks for boosting your mood with me. Let's do it again soon.
Bye!
Here’s an activity that will be music to your ears… and to your arms… and to your legs…
In this classroom activity, Evie Pickerill inspires children to turn their bodies into musical instruments to help stimulate awareness of controlling movement, muscular strength, coordination and balance.
This fun activity can be used to help primary school children improve concentration, memory and perception.
Sometimes we need a boost to get us going. Being energised helps us to do the things we know we can normally do, and confidence to give new things a go.
Teacher Notes
- Phase and setting most suitable for: KS1 and KS2. Whole class movement.
- When to use: Movement break between lessons.
See our Moodboosters School Timetable for more ideas.
- Curriculum/topic/SEMH links: Music – beat and rhythm/PE Dance/Emotional regulation.
- Visit the Teacher Guide for more information and support.
Enrichment activities
- Feelings and Music Match
- Children choose a feeling (e.g., sad, excited, tired) and write a short idea of how body percussion could match that feeling.
- Example: "When I feel excited, I clap fast!", "When I feel tired, I pat slowly."
- Moodbooster Poster
- Create a colourful poster showing ways to boost your mood with: Friends, Music, Movement.
- They could even draw themselves stomping and clapping.
- Copy the Rhythm Challenge
- The teacher (or a student leader) claps/stomps a rhythm, and the group has to copy it exactly.
- Start simple, then get trickier.
More from Boost:
Animal Safari. video
Bethany Shriever uses movement and exercises to help primary school children recognise the importance of taking time to pause and reflect.
Boat Race. video
Ade Adepitan shows primary school pupils that it’s ok to go wrong from time to time through a combination of rowing, jumping and leaning.
Dance Party Mega Mix. video
Strictly Come Dancing champion Oti Mabuse encourages primary school pupils to have fun by practicing unique dance moves to energise the class.
Volume Up. video
Rhys Stephenson and George Webster encourage primary school pupils to join in with a body percussion routine to inspire confidence and self-belief.
Wacky Workout. video
Dr Ranj Singh leads a wacky workout for primary school pupils about being able to change negative moods to positive ones through movement.
MC Hype. video
Oti Mabuse becomes MC Hype in this fun activity that aims to get children off their feet to help combat feelings of tiredness and fatigue.
Let's Rock. video
Evie Pickerill assembles an air instrument rock band for children, where everyone has their own part to play.
Emotion in Motion. video
Amy Dowden demonstrates how primary school children can explore different emotions through movement and impersonations of animals.
Power Up. video
Rhys Stephenson and Joe Tasker use simple hand movements and actions to help up the energy levels in the room.
More from Moodboosters:
Recharge. collection
Activities to help children become aware of the importance of self-care, whilst building resilience and recognising what makes them special.
Connect. collection
Fun, movement-based activities for children centring on relationships and how to recognise emotions in others through empathy.
Imagine. collection
Learning activities to promote creativity and optimism in children whilst encouraging them to use their imagination to envision their goals and aspirations.
Teacher's guide
Curriculum-linked ideas and tips about how you can use Moodboosters with your class during the school day.
Watch again - our live launch. video
Watch highlights as children from around the nations join together for a big mood-boosting moment.
About Moodboosters
Everything you need to know about our initiative to get KS1 / KS2 pupils moving for mental health and wellbeing.
