Nonlocomotor Movements

Today in Movement Education we learned some of the many nonlocomotor movements. Students in my class were each assigned a specific nonlocomotor movement to teach today during class. I was assigned to teach the Contract and Stretch nonlocomotor movement. A contract is a tight curling or rounding. A stretch is vigorously expanding or opening. There are several ways to contract and stretch different parts of the body. Some examples are the arms, legs, torso, neck, and even the face. Not only can you use different parts of the body to contract and stretch, but you can also move in different levels such as high or low. Contracting and stretching can be done in partners, groups of four, and even groups of eight. One way for partners to practice contracting and stretching is to hold hands and have one partner either contracting or stretching while being in a high or low level while the other partner does the opposite. Groups of four and eight can practice contracting and stretching by forming a "clump" or a ball of students. Equipment, like mats and chairs, can also be added to practice contract and stretch, but only older children should use equipment.