From Head to Toe
From Head to Toe
By Eric Carle, HarperCollins Publishers, 1997
Concepts and Themes to Teach
§ Parts of the Body: head, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, chest, back, hips, knees, legs, foot, toe
§ Action movements: turn, bend, raise, wave, clap, thump, arch, wriggle, bend, kick, stomp, wiggle,
§ Predictable text
Expanded Core Curriculum Activities
Orientation and Mobility
- Concept: Parts of the Body
Have the child touch each body part as it is named in the story. Simply act out all of the actions named in the book. Provide assistance to move as needed
- Perform the actions with the body part named in the story: arch, bend, clap, kick, raise, stomp, thump, turn, wave, wiggle, wriggle. Ask the child if they can perform that same action with another body part
Assistive Technology
- Activate Switches
The repetitive phrase “I can do it”, can be programmed on a single switch output device. The child can activate to participate in the retelling of the story
Self-determination
- Reinforce the “I can do it” message of the story. Prompt the child to use this phrase as you perceive their frustration level increasing with tasks.


