Bringing Culture to the Classroom: A Traditional Colombian Game from My Childhood
One of the things I love most about teaching is the opportunity to bring a little piece of my culture into the classroom. Today, I want to share a traditional game I used to play when I was a little girl in Colombia—Sapo Sapito. It’s simple, musical, and so much fun for young learners!
What Is Sapo Sapito?
Sapo Sapito is a traditional Colombian circle game that combines music, rhythm, and movement. It’s one of those games that brings back so many childhood memories laughing with friends, and the joy of singing together.
How to Play
To start, students form a circle. Each child places their right hand on top of the left hand of the person next to them, creating a chain of overlapping hands around the circle.
Then comes the fun part: the song!
We sing the chorus of the song “Sapo, sapito” together, slowly clapping each hand in the circle as we go. When we reach the vowels A, E, I, O, U. Each syllable is marked with a slap on the next hand in the circle. The goal is to avoid getting hit on the “U”!
When the final vowel “U” lands on a player’s hand, they must quickly move it away to avoid getting tapped. If they succeed, the person who tried to slap them is out. But if they fail to move their hand in time, they’re the one who has to leave the game. The game continues until only one player remains—and they’re the winner!
Why I Love Using This Game in the Classroom
Games like Sapo Sapito are perfect for language classrooms because they:
- Encourage movement and participation
- Reinforce listening and rhythm
- Create a joyful, low pressure environment for learning
- Introduce students to authentic cultural experiences
I’ve included a video where you can see how I introduce the song first and then add the movement. It’s a great way to model the game before jumping in with your students!
A Cultural Connection
Beyond being just a fun activity, Sapo Sapito is a wonderful way to connect students with the rich traditions of Colombia. It invites them to step into another culture—not just through language, but through shared childhood experiences.
If you’re looking for an engaging way to bring music, movement, and culture into your classroom, I highly recommend trying Sapo Sapito. Let me know if you try it—I’d love to hear how your students enjoy it!
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