The colorful books of Eric Carle are beloved in preschool and kindergarten classrooms. Stories like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, and The Grouchy Ladybug naturally invite children to explore movement, storytelling, and imagination.
A favorite way of mine to extend these stories is through simple movement activities and yoga poses that help children engage their bodies while connecting with the story. My students love it, it keeps them engaged and we can all be a little silly.
One of the reasons Eric Carle activities are so popular in early childhood classrooms is that the stories lend themselves perfectly to movement. A crawling caterpillar, stomping animals, buzzing insects, and flying birds all provide wonderful opportunities for children to move their bodies while retelling the story. When children act out these movements, they strengthen gross motor skills while also building comprehension and vocabulary.
Movement-based Eric Carle activities can also help children regulate their energy during circle time. After sitting and listening to a story, students often need an opportunity to move before transitioning to the next activity. Simple yoga poses and playful movements inspired by the story allow children to release energy, refocus their attention, and return to learning feeling calm and ready.
Teachers often find that adding movement to storytime increases engagement for children who learn best through action and sensory experiences. By turning familiar stories into Eric Carle activities that involve stretching, balancing, and imaginative play, students become active participants in the storytelling process rather than just listeners.
These story-inspired movements are easy to incorporate into daily routines and can be used during circle time, brain breaks, indoor recess, or transitions. When paired with visual cards or simple prompts, these Eric Carle activities help teachers guide the experience while allowing children the freedom to move, imagine, and explore.
Below are some examples of movement you can add to your storytime!
1. Caterpillar Crawl
Inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Children crawl slowly like a tiny caterpillar moving across a leaf.
Optional extension:
Kids curl into a cocoon pose before becoming butterflies.
2. Butterfly Stretch
Also from The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Sit with feet together and flap butterfly wings.
Ask:
“Where might our butterflies fly today?”
3. Brown Bear Stomp
Inspired by Brown Bear, Brown Bear
Children stomp slowly like a heavy bear.
Great for burning energy during circle time.
4. Bird Wings
Inspired by Brown Bear, Brown Bear
Children stretch arms wide and flap wings like a bird.
Add imagination:
“Are we flying high or low today?”
5. Frog Jump
Inspired by Brown Bear, Brown Bear
Children squat and hop like frogs.
Excellent gross motor movement.
6. Horse Gallop
Also from Brown Bear
Children gallop in place or around the room.
7. Ladybug Curl
Inspired by The Grouchy Ladybug
Children curl into a small ball.
Great for transitioning into calming activities.
8. Angry Bee Buzz
Inspired by The Grouchy Ladybug
Kids buzz like bees, then slowly quiet their buzzing.
Good self-regulation activity.
9. Quiet Turtle Pose
Inspired by many gentle story themes.
Children tuck into a shell.
Teacher cue:
“When we feel overwhelmed, we can rest like turtles.”
10. Gentle Butterfly Rest
End the movement sequence with slow breathing.
Perfect storytime reset.
