- Definition
Percussive movement is a sudden, sharp motion, like a quick hit or tap, that stops almost as soon as it starts.
A sharp stomp of the foot that freezes immediately is a percussive movement.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Percussive movement is like a toy robot that moves in short, sharp, jerky steps.
Ask your child: Can you move like a robot, with sharp, sudden stops?
Common mix-up: Kids may think percussive movement is just any fast movement. The key is that the movement stops suddenly, like hitting a wall, instead of flowing smoothly.
Examples
- A quick, sharp clap of the hands.
- A dancer making a sudden, jerky turn and then freezing.
- Punching the air and stopping the fist abruptly.
percussive movement is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
