The benefits of expressive movement exploration activities involve evoking body awareness and creating a kinesthetic experience with music. The creative movement allows children to discover the joy and satisfaction of moving in expressive ways. Below is an example of an expressive movement. 

 

The instructions written at the bottom of the screen are for teachers or parents to use to guide the children. They are not meant for children to read. Children are encouraged to listen to the music and react with expressive gestures. Children are also encouraged to use their imaginations to express themselves when listening to the music. Children can relate to a story and use their imaginations to create their own choreography while listening to music. 

 

The two main characters of this story come from the two sea creatures from the state of Hawai'i, Humu (Humuhumunukunukuapua'a) and Honu (a turtle).

 

Here are some suggestions for how to conduct this activity.  Start by asking the children to imitate the motions for steps 1 to 8 below:

1. When Humu swam to Waikiki, he looked up and saw a fishing rod. At the end of the rod, there was a fishing line and the fishing line slowly sank down. (Ask the students to make a motion that starts high and moves down.) At the end of the fishing line, there was a hook.
2. Humu didn't know what to do, so he kept swimming. 
3. When he was at Waimanalo, he saw another fishing rod. At the end of the rod, there was a fishing line, and the fishing line slowly sank down. (Ask the students to make a motion that starts high and moves down.) At the end of the fishing line, there was a hook.
4. Just at this moment, Honu, the big turtle, came. (Students imitate the movements of a swimming turtle.) 
5. Honu, the turtle, blew some bubbles (three in a row). "Humu, do not touch the fishing line, listen to me, don't get into trouble."
6. Honu blew some more bubbles.
7. Honu blew some bubbles.
8. After seeing Honu swim away, Humu saw a fishing rod with a fishing line coming down from the surface. This time, Humu didn't pay attention to it, he just swam away.
9. Now, play the music, use limited words to guide the students, do not retell the story. Remind students to keep their own space before starting the music.
10. Play the music again. Ask these questions before reviewing the activity (can be the next day):

• a. Was the music fast or slow?
• b. What do you hear about the music when the fishing rod sinks?
• c. Can you use a word to describe the bubble sounds that Honu made?
• d. What did you learn from this story? (should you listen to parents' and kupuna's advice?)